f LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! 

I ; ^-"^t^ — — t 

f ^^^/ ■ .3.4,5... - I 

I |. 

I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f 



COMPREHENSIVE 



History of Methodism. 



In One Volume. 

EMBRACING 

ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT SPIRITUAL, EDU- 
CATIONAL, AND BENEVOLENT STATUS 
IN ALL LANDS. 

BY 

JAMES PORTER, D. D., 

AUTHOR OF "compendium OF METHODISM," "WINNING WORKER," 

"chart OF i-iFE," etc. 



<' We will qo loith you: for zue have heard that God is zvith yoii.^^ 
Zech. vui, 23. 




G I N CI N N AT I : 
HITCHCOCK AND WALDEN. 
NEW YORK: NELSON & PHILLIPS. 
1876. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by 

HITCHCOCK & WALDEN, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



FAC-SIMILES. 



The following Signatures of John Wesley were taken 
from the originals : 



[780 



Zjc^ c^^jr^^ 

Wesley's last entry in his private journal. 

"iV. B. For upwards of eighty-six yecm's I ha7.>e kept my accounts 
exactly. I will not attempt it ajiy longer, being satisfied with the con- 
tinual conviction that I save all I can and give all I can ; that is, all I 
have. John Wesley. July 16, 1790. 



JOHN WESLEY S LAST SIGNATURE IN THE JOURNAL OF THE CONFERENCE, 



EDITOR'S NOTICE. 



HE author of the volume now presented to the 



-L public wields one of the most prolific pens in 
the Methodist communion. His life has extended over 
some of the most important periods in the history of the 
Church. He has been a close student of the history and 
polity of the Church, and an actor in some of its most 
interesting crises and stirring scenes. His "Compendium 
of Methodism," one of the most useful and popular works 
on that subject, is just now passing into a new edition; 
and he now sends forth a new history of the Church, 
giving a succinct account of Metliodism in its British and 
early American periods, and a fuller exhibit of its later 
phases than any work extant, bringing the recital down 
to the present time. History must first be written by 
contemporaries, and yet contemporary history is always 
more or less partisan. It can not do otherwise than par- 
take of the color of the opinions, judgrnents, and feelings 
of the actors. It must be left to future generations to 
pass impartial verdicts on the doings of the present. 
Each actor who writes up recent history writes from his 
own stand-point, and the statements of contemporary 
authors often conflict. The historian of the future will 
sift accounts, balance probabilities, and get at truth often 




3 



4 



EDITOR'S NOTICE. 



at a distance from either extreme. Publishers have no 
alternative but to let an author express his own views, 
subject to criticism from those who differ in opinion, or 
from the better informed in matters of fact. Dr. Porter 
took decided part aiid expressed decided views, and in 
these pages records his own opinions on the slavery 
question, lay delegation, and the New York Book Room 
troubles. All these agitations have now passed away, 
and some of them will require less and less space for 
record, and will by and by fade out of the memory of 
man altogether. As a convenient manual for facts and 
dates, we think the public will be satisfied with the vol- 
ume of Methodist history which is herewith submitted. 



PREFACE. 



IN presenting this volume to the public, the author 
deems it appropriate to say that he does not 
pretend to any new discovery. The arrangements 
of Methodism require its operations to go upon 
record in some shape from year to year. Besides, it 
has been fortunate in its historians. To say nothing 
of the earlier writers, Dr. Bangs's History of . the 
Methodist Episcopal Church," in four volumes, will 
always be valuable as a repository of important doc- 
uments, some of which are nowhere else in print; 
but few of our young people take the trouble to 
read them. Dr. Abel Stevens's seven volumes, three 
on Methodism generally, and four, giving the history 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United 
States, are intensely interesting, but too voluminous 
for the masses. Multitudes have not the means to 
purchase, or the time to read them. Furthermore, 
both of these authors leave the strange and startling 
events of the last thirty-five years entirely out of 
sight, closing their volumes at the dawn of their oc- 
currence, leaving important principles and measures, 



6 



PREFACE. 



to say nothing of men, under reproach, which the 
providence of God has since vindicated. 

Mr. Stevens's condensed "History of American 
Methodism," in one octavo volume of 608 pages, 
runs hastily over some of these events, reaching to 
1866, but is still so large and expensive as to render 
it inconvenient to many of our people. Besides, it 
overlooks interesting facts, which the honor of the 
Church now requires to be developed, since others 
are taking credit to themselves that properly belongs 
to us. 

The object of the writer has been to combine the 
most instructive features of Methodist history from 
the beginning in their chronological order, and in a 
manner to bring them within the reach of the masses 
of our people, both as to price and the time neces- 
sary to compass them. In doing this, he has tabu- 
lated many statistics, to which few have ready access, 
that must often be very useful, even to ministers. 
His aim has been to make the work correct and 
convenient for every body who desires to mark the 
providence of God in the wonderful achievements it 
details. 

Back of all this, and underlying the whole plan, 
is the profound conviction that many of our people, 
young and old, are suffering in their faith, feeling, 
and power of usefulness, by not having a better un- 
derstanding of what God has done, and is doing, for 
and through the Church. Many are restricted in 



PREFACE. 



7 



their undertakings by not appreciating the proba- 
bility, if not positive certainty, of divine assistance. 
By reading of His wonders, they will acquire confi- 
dence to trust Him and go forward. 

Methodism originated in a Httle book, which 
awakened its founders, and led them to prayer. It 
has been largely stimulated and promoted by other 
books. The press and the pulpit have worked 
together. Where one has failed, the other has 
succeeded. When the Church stops reading she 
will stop growing. She needs to be filled with facts, 
not fiction. The strongest incitements to faith and 
right action are found in what God has done by 
small means and under difficulties. The true history 
of Methodism is its best vindication. We have aimed 
to place such a history within the reach and com- 
prehension of our young people, that they may be 
inspired, and carry forward the work to its grand 
consummation. 

THE AUTHOR. 

Brooklyn, August 21, 1875. 



CONTENTS. 



Part First. 

HISTORY OF METHODISM IN EUROPE. 



CHAPTER I. 

The State of Religion in the World, with some Preliminary 
Arrangements for the Introduction of Methodism — The Birth of 
John Wesley — His Peculiar Training — His Narrow Escape from the 
Flames — His Education — Ordained — The Fervor of his Piety, and 
Movements at Oxford, Page 17 

CHAPTER n. 

Further Particulars of the Leading Spirits Concerned in the 
Origin of Methodism — Birth and Education of Charles Wesley — 
George Whitefield — The Wesleys in America — Their New Discov- 
ery — Whitefield's Conversion — His Ordination — Wesley Nearing 
the Point — Charles Wesley's Conversion — John's Heart "Strangely 
Warmed" — Visits to the Moravians, 35 

CHAPTER III. 

The Organization and Early Progress of Methodist Societies, 
with the Origin of Several of their Peculiarities — Origin of Field 
Preaching — The First Chapel — The Progress of the Work of God — 
Lay Preaching Resisted — Separation from the Moravians — White- 
field's Defection — The First Lay Preacher — John Nelson Called — 
Leanings toward the Moravians — Death of Susanna Wesley, . 52 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Personal Sacrifices of the Leaders — New Devices, and 
Violent Persecutions — Origin of Class-meetings — Watch-meetings — 



10 



CONTENTS. 



Band-meetings — The Work in Germany — John Evans Converted — 
Wesley Mobbed — Other Exciting Scenes, . . . Page 74 

CHAPTER V. 

The Progress of the Work — The First Conferences — Wesley 
Reasons with the Clergy — The Proper Status of IMethodism — 
The Preachers — Their Qualifications — Plans for Suitable Books — 
The Kingswood School — Character and Duty of Stewards — Meth- 
odism Carried to Ireland — Wesley's Adherence to the Church — 
Trouble with Maxfield and Enthusiasm — Mr. Whitefield and Lady 
Huntingdon, .91 

CHAPTER VI. 

Remarkable Circumstances — Wesley's Views Changing — Ex- 
horters Provided for — Miscellaneous Modifications — The Call to the 
Ministry — Leanings Toward Independency — First Mention of Salar- 
ies — A Dangerous Point Safely Passed — Of Minutes and Statistics — 
Death of Whitefield — The Calvinistic Controversy — The Bitterness 
of Lady Huntingdon, . . . . . . . . iii 

CHAPTER VH. 

Calvinistic Methodism — Its Mission to Georgia — Its Future in 
Europe — Wesley and his Work — Joseph Benson — Samuel Bradburn 
Appears — Methodism Thought to be Declining — Its Sympathy for 
Prisoners — Dr. Coke Called — Henry Moore Converted — Wesley 
Ordaining Ministers — The Deed of Declaration Drawn — Mr. Wes- 
ley's Letter to the Conference — His Deed Carried into Successful 
Operation, 132 



CHAPTER VHL 

Wesley's Labors — His Later Conferences — The Cabinet — Adam 
Clarke Received — The Deed of Declaration Confirmed — Service 
During Church Hours — William Bi-amwell Received — Wesley's 
Last Conference and Labors — His Death — Honored and Loved at 
Last — Numerical Progress of INIethodism — Other Evidences of 
Usefulness — New Measures — The Secret of Wesley's Power over the 
Preachers, 1 50 



CHAPTER IX. 



The Situation Stated — Dr. Coke Hastened Home — The Issues 
Involved — The First Legal Conference — The Second Conference — 



CONTENTS. 



The Controversy Alarming — How the Matter was Settled — Alexan- 
der Kilham and his "New Connection" — Advance of the Cause — 
A New Contest Encountered — New Missionary Plan — Bramwell's 
Experience — Weeping Preachers — Radical Modifi cations — Primi- 
tive Methodist Church Formed — Its Present Status, . Page 165 

CHAPTER X. 

Further Missionary Operations — In the West Indies and Other 
Places — Their Effect on Slavery — Emancipation Proclaimed — Mis- 
sion to India — Dr. Coke's Death — Other Missions Established — 
Status of Australia — The Present Missionary Work Under the British 
Conference — State of the Work at Home — The Ministry Amply 
Provided for — Methodism in Ireland — Gideon Ouseley — Ireland 
Saved for America — More Trouble — A New Sect by Adam Averell— 
The Bryanites, 185 

CHAPTER XI. 

Origin of our Standard Books — Another Secession — Its Re- 
sults — Relations to the Methodist Episcopal Church — The Cen- 
tenary of Methodism — Other Important Events — The Fly-sheet Se- 
cession — Educational Movements — Theological Schools — Other 
Schools and Colleges — Conference Ofhce and Book Room — Organ- 
ism of the Wesleyan Connection, ..... 207 

CHAPTER Xn. 

The Appointment of Preachers — How Made — Negotiations 
Sought — Of the Benevolence of the Wesleyans — That of its Foun- 
der — How Employed — The Contingent Fund — The Chapel Fund — 
The Preachers' Auxiliary Fund — Missionary Collections — Practical 
Suggestions, .... ^ ... . 229 



12 



CONTENTS. 



Part Second. 

HISTORY OF METHODISM IN AMERICA. 

\ 



CHAPTER I. 

The Settlement of the Country — Providential Preparation for 
the Introduction of Methodism — Its Origin and Early Progress — 
The Rigging-loft — The First American Chapel — Of Philip Embury 
and Captain Webb — Strawbridge in Maryland — Robert Williams in 
New York — John King — Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore on 
the Field — Francis Asbury and Richard Wright Arrive — Their 
Labors and Triumphs, ...... Page 241 

CHAPTER H. 

Arrival of Thomas Rankin and George Shadford — Rankin 
made Superintendent in the Place of Asbury — The First Confer- 
ence — Its Loyalty to Wesley- — The Appointments — The IMembers — 
How Distributed — The Progress of the Cause — Benjamin Abbott 
Converted — Powerful Awakenings — Interruptions from the Revolu- 
tion — Origin of the United Brethren," .... 261 

CHAPTER HL 

The Situation Stated — The Methodist Episcopal Church Or- 
ganized — The Working of the System — Jesse Lee's Standing and 
Labors — The First College Started — Proper Title Assumed — Pro- 
gress of the Cause — Congratulatory Address to Washington — Meth- 
odism in New England — Long Island — A Council Devised — Of 
Books and Tracts — Sabbath-schools Originated — The Work Com- 
menced in Massachusetts — In Lynn — Our True Policy, . 275 

CHAPTER IV. 

The General Conference of 1792 — Restriction of the Appointing 
Power Attempted — O'Kelley, and his Secession — The Election of 
Presiding Elders Proposed — The Progress of the Work — The Char- 
tered Fund — Incidents of the Work — Remarkable ]\Ien and Occa- 
sions — Calvin Wooster — Henry Boehm — The General Conference 
of 1796 — First Conferences in New England — Origin of Camp-meet- 
ings — Their Power — General Conference of 1800 — Bishops Asbury 
and Coke — Whatcoat Elected Bishop — Other Measures Adopted — 



CONTENTS. 



13 



Powerful Revivals Followed — Pro-slavery Mobs Inaugurated — Foi-- 
bearance Triumphant — A Conference in Boston, . Page 298 

CHAPTER V. 

Of the General Conference of 1804 — Fanaticism Among Presby- 
terians — Death of Bishop Whatcoat — General Conference of 1808 — 
A Delegated General Conference Provided for — William M'Kendree 
Elected Bishop — His Travels — A Specimen of Conversion — The 
Work in the East — The First Delegated General Conference — 
Ordaining Local Preachers Approved — Of Education — The Book 
Concern Again — The War of 18 12 — The Brett Secession — The Afri- 
can Methodist Episcopal Churches Formed — The Stilwellites — Death 
of Dr. Coke — Another Prince Fallen — Methodism Formally As- 
sailed — The General Conference of 1816 — New Bishops, . 321 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Organization of the Tract Society — Educational Institu- 
tions Started — Death of Jesse Lee — The Missionary and Bible 
Society Formed — General Conference of 1820 — Of the Appointment 
of Presiding Elders — Our Relations to the British Conference — To 
Canada — Origin of our Hymn-book — Free and Pewed Churches — 
District Conferences — Circumstances Following the General Confer- 
ence of 1820 — General Conference of 1824 — Of Lay Representa- 
tion — Other Measures — From 1824 to 1828 — Of Denominational 
Periodicals — The Sunday-school Union Established — Four Days' 
Meetings — The Work Extending — Death of Freeborn Garrett- 
son, 344 

CHAPTER Vn. 

The General Conference of 1828 — Trouble with Reformers — 
Methodist Protestant Church Organized — New Arrangements for 
Canada — Events Following the General Conference of 1828 — The 
Publishing Fund — Death of Bishop George — New Sources of Con- 
troversy — Progress in Several Particulars — Of the General Confer- 
ence of 1832 — Achievements that Followed — The Flat-head Indian 
Mission — The Departure of Two Bishops, .... 371 

CHAPTER VHL 

The General Conference of 1836 — New Measures — Three 
Bishops Elected — Dr. Fisk's Character and Death — Locating 



14 



CONTENTS. 



Preachers Without Their Consent — Of Slavery and Abolition — 
Remarkable Losses — Missions in South America and Texas — Origin 
of our Missions Among the Germans — The Mission to Oregon 
Largely Reinforced — The Centenary of Methodism — The All-absorb- 
ing Question — A Passing Reflection — The General Conference of 
1840 — The Bishops' Address — New Rule for Receiving Members, 
etc., from Other Denominations — Other Measures Adopted — The 
Close, ......... Page 394 

CHAPTER IX. 

Great Revivals — Millerism — Conference Rights — Of the General 
Conference of 1844 — Of Bishops — Powers of the Bishops Defined — 
New Restrictions on the Itinerancy — The Ground Assumed — The 
Argument For It — Conflict with Providence, . . . 409 

CHAPTER X, 

Slavery, and its Early Treatment — Wesley's Position — The 
Attitude of Early Methodists in America — A Turn in the Tide — 
Original Principles Reaffirm.ed — The Colonization Society Formed — 
Antislavery Societies Organized — Origin of Methodist Abolition- 
ism — The New England Conference Leads Off — The New Hampshire 
Follows — Addresses of Bishops Fledding and Others — Injustice to 
Abolitionists — Zion's Watchman — The General Conference of 1836 — ■ 
Anti-abolition Resolutions — No Southern Bishop Elected, . 422 

CHAPTER XI. 

Antislavery Conventions — Leaders Arraigned — A Plan of Pa- 
cification — Conference Action Allowed — Outside Operations — Seces- 
sional Indications — General Conference of 1840 — Secession Com- 
pleted, and its Early Effects — Its Proper Title and Strength — The 
General Conference of 1844 — The Separation of the South — Op- 
posed by Northern Conservatives — Other General Conferences — 
Errors Overruled by Providence — Effect of Methodism on Emanci- 
pation — In the West Indies — In America — Influence of Conflicting 
Agencies — The Providence of God Manifest, , . . 444 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Effect of the General Conference of 1844 — Plow Opposed — 
Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South — Its Re- 
ceipts in Members and Money — Its Present Status — The Colored 



CONTENTS. 



15 



Methodist Episcopal Church — The General Conference of 1848 — 
Death of Bishop Hedding — A Noble Character — The General Con- 
ference of 1852 — The Business Done — The National Magazine Au- 
thorized — Of the State of the Church — The Four Years Following — 
General Conference of 1856 — The Action of the Conference — A 
New Court Provided for — A Step Toward Ritualism, . Page 472 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The General Conference of i860 — Death of Bishop Waugh — 
First Colored Bishop — Progress of the Cause Generally — Lay Dele- 
gation — Its Beginning and Consummation — Signs of the Times 
Portentous — How Regarded, ...... 494 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The General Conference of 1864— The Condition of the Church— 
The State of the War — The Action of the Conference Reviewed — 
Delegates from Other Bodies— New Bishops Elected — Of the Itiner- 
ancy — Of Temperance — Another Want Supplied — The Church 
Extension Society — The Close — The War Opposed — Republicans 
Triumphant — Lincoln's Second Inaugural — Lee's Surrender — The 
Real Centenary Celebrated — The Financial Result — The Freedmen's 
Aid Society — New Southern Conferences — The Ladies' and Pastors' 
Union — General Conference of 1868 — Chicago and Methodism — 
Important Circumstances — Action of Missionary Conferences — 
Other Incidents of the Session, ...... 506 

CHAPTER XV. 

Methodism a Grand Fact — Progress from 1868 to 1872 — 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society — The Management of our 
Benevolences Improved — Of the General Conference of 1872 — The 
Minard Home — Mortality Among the Bishops — New Bishops 
Elected — Tabular Record of all the Bishops — Missionary Statistics — 
Our Numerical Progress — Methodists in the United States — Con- 
nected with the British Conference — Official Statistics — Status of 
Different Denominations — Collections of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church — Conference Statistics — Educational Institutions, . 531 

CHAPTER XVL 

The Methodist Book Concern — Its Origin and Early Policy — 
Changes Adopted — Removal to Mulberry Street — Agents Elected — 



i6 



CONTENTS. 



The Cincinnati House — Success of the Business — Sales — Profits 
Since 1836 — Magnitude of the Business — Integrity of the Agents — 
A Further Word About Profits— The Utility of the Concern— Of 
the Late Difficulty — The Report of the Book Committee — Report 
of Mr. Kilbreth — One More Ordeal — Conclusion, . Page 553 

CHAPTER XVH. 

Relative Progress of Methodism — Reasons for its Rapidity — 
Points of Vital Interest — Distinguished Laymen Called — Defenders 
of the Faith — Popular Preachers — Summerfield — George Cook- 
man — John N. Maffit — Edward T. Taylor — Closing Remarks, 576 



Part First. 
HISTORY OF METHODISM IN EUROPE. 



CHAPTER 1. 



THE STATE OF RELIGION IN THE WORLD, WITH SOME PRELIM- 
INARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION 



NE hundred and thirty-six years ago the reHg- 



ious world was divided into sects and parties, 
much as it is at present. Roman Cathohcs were in 
the ascendant, and claimed universal jurisdiction by 
divine right then, as now, and enforced obedience 
to their mandates as far as practicable by pains and 
penalties. The Church of England, which had grad- 
ually separated from Rome, and in the early part of 
the sixteenth century become entirely independent, 
with Henry VIII for its supreme head, was much 
like its abandoned mother, spiritually: proud, preten- 
tious, hierarchal, and oppressive. Baptists had been 
in organized existence more than two hundred years, 
pressing their distinctive views of baptism, and had 
made considerable headway, both in Europe and 
America. Presbyterians, Independents, Quakers, 
Dutch, and Dutch Reformed, Puritans, Congregation- 
alists, and other classes of Christians were all at work 



OF METHODISM. 




i8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



in their respective ways to enlighten and save the 
world. But there were no Methodists. The name 
was unknown as the representative of any religious 
denomination, though it had been reproachfully ap- 
plied to a class of non-conformists more than a hun- 
dred years before, of whom little has been since heard. 

Now we find this name familiar in the four 
quarters of the globe, representing a numerous peo- 
ple, holding about the same faith, maintaining much 
the same religious order, and all working with more 
or less zeal for the conversion of the world to Christ. 
The latest reports show that nearly ninety thousand 
ministers, traveling and local, and four millions of 
members, bear this novel name, and all claim John 
Wesley as their founder and leader under God. And 
yet they have never had State patronage, or been 
much favored by the rich or great, but have been 
persecuted almost every-where, and sometimes even 
unto death. 

A work so wonderful, surpassing every^ thing of 
the kind in the history of religion, is worthy of con- 
sideration. The object of the present writing is to 
furnish a brief outline of its history for the encour- 
agement of its friends to cleave to the old appliances 
which God has so highly honored, and push forward 
heroically to still greater achievements. 

THE STATE OF RELIGION AT THE BEGINNING. 

To form a proper estimate of the work, it will be 
necessary to glance at the condition of affairs at the 
outset. It is not enough to say that spiritual relig- 
ion was in a very low state. Infidelity was ramp- 
ant. Voltaire, the notorious French infidel, was 



STATE OF RELIGION. 



19 



born in 1694, and shook the world by his atheistical 
writings. Much of the Hterature of the age was not 
tainted merely with his sentiments, but thoroughly 
corrupted. He did not speak without apparent rea- 
son when he predicted that Christianity would be 
overthrown throughout the world in the next gener- 
ation. The Church was little better than the State. 
Sin in all its vulgar forms reigned every-where. Vital 
piety was unknown except to the few, and they were 
accounted fanatics. "It was just at the time," said 
Mr. Wesley, ''when we wanted little of filling up the 
measure of our iniquities that two or three clergymen 
of the Church of England began vehemently to call 
sinners to repentance." Think of it, ^'tivo or three'* 
out of thousands. 

Bishop Burnet, in his seventieth year, in his 
profound love to his people, says, "I can not look 
on without the deepest concern, when I see the 
imminent ruin hanging over this Church, and, by 
consequence, over the whole reformation. The out- 
ward state of things is black enough, God knows; 
but that which heightens my fears rises chiefly from 
the inward state into which we have unhappily 
fallen. . . . Our ember weeks are the burden 
and grief of my life," referring to the ignorance 
of young men coming to be ordained without any 
knowledge of the Scriptures or even of the Cat- 
echism. Watts spoke of a general decay in vital 
religion, not in the Church only but among dissen- 
ters, and urged ''every one to use all possible 
efforts" for its recovery. 

It was a sporting, godless age. Frolic and fun seem 
to have eaten out the vitals of religion, and ungod- 



20 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



liness reigned. ''Ungodliness," said Wesley, "is 
our universal, our constant, our peculiar character," in 
confirmation of which we might fill volumes from the 
writings of both friends and foes. The darkness of 
that day was so intense that Whitefield, with all his 
religious advantages, when agonizing with conviction, 
had no idea of vital religion ; for, he says, ' ' I knew no 
more that I was to be born again in God, born a 
new creature in Christ Jesus, than if I was never 
born at all." And Mr. Wesley though brought up in 
the Church under the most favorable circumstances, 
was equally ignorant, and had to leave the country 
and the Church to obtain the light necessary to his 
salvation, as we shall see hereafter. His brother 
Charles was no better off, for when John was ear- 
nestly seeking God, and confessed himself a sinner, 
he was "very angry," and thought he had done great 
mischief. 

The fact is, the Romish Church had long since 
reduced religion to a mere ceremony, and her En- 
glish daughter had followed her example. That 
ceremony duly observed, nothing remained but to 
enjoy life without any satisfactory evidence of ac- 
ceptance with God, and await the result. Some, 
however, were rigidly pious, according to their light. 
They were servants of God, trembling and quaking 
before him, but not happy sons and daughters, re- 
joicing in his love. 

THE BIRTH OF JOHN WESLEY. 

In this state of society, John Wesley the distin- 
guished founder of Methodism, was born, at Ep- 
worth, England, June 17, 1703, old style. There was 



STATE OF RELIGION. 



21 



nothing peculiar about his birth, nor was a birth any 
strange event in his father's family, he being the sixth 
child that had appeared there in a very short time. 
His father. Rev. Samuel Wesley, was rector of the 
Epworth Church, having but little income, and had 
no prospect of doing much for his rapidly growing 
family, which at last increased to nineteen children. 
With no outward manifestation of divine interest, as 
in the case of the babe in the manger, the outlook 
was not very encouraging. Yet, as in that case, 
there was some peculiarity in the family stock. His 
ancestors had been distinguished for intelligence, 
piety, and especially independence of thought and 
action. His great grandfather, Bartholomew W^es- 
ley, a clergyman, renounced the established Church 
and joined the Puritans, for which he afterward suf- 
fered great persecution from the government, not 
being allowed to live within five miles of any of his 
old parishes. His son, John Wesley, inherited his 
scruples, and stood up for the right like a hero, but 
was pursued, fined, imprisoned four times, and wor- 
ried into the grave, just as he was contemplating es- 
cape to America, at the age of thirty-four years, 
thus overwhelming his venerable and admiring father 
with sorrow and death. And all for non-conformity 
to the ritualistic ceremonies of the English hierarchy. 

Samuel Wesley, the father of John, was a man 
of great practical wisdom and piety, according to the 
times in which he lived. Inheriting the independ- 
ence of his ancestors, however, he rejected their non- 
conformity, though he admired their character, and 
took orders in the Church. His career at Oxford 
was strikingly illustrated by that of his worthy sons. 



22 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



John and Charles, to which we shall hereafter refer, 
being poor, economical, liberal, religious, and active 
in ministering to the souls and bodies of the unfor- 
tunate and neglected. He was a good scholar, and 
a voluminous writer, with strong proclivities to poe- 
try, which kept him ''beating rhyme" all through 
his life. His preaching is said to have been pointed, 
which, with his High Church and State politics, sub- 
jected him to much annoyance from his parishioners, 
who drummed, and fired guns about his door, in- 
jured his dog, cattle, and other property, and twice 
fired his house. Once, too, they arrested him on 
some slight pretense as he Avas leaving his Church, 
and took him to jail, from which he wrote to the 
Archbishop of York, "Now I am at rest, for I am 
come to the haven where I have long expected to 
be; and I don't despair of doing good here and, it 
may be, more in this new parish than in my old one." 

But all this did not break down his spirits. He 
set himself to benefit his fellow-prisoners, reading 
prayers daily and preaching Sundays. Nor did his 
equally heroic wife forsake him. Writing to the 
archbishop again he says, "'Tis not every one who 
could bear these things; but I bless God, my wife 
is less concerned with suffering than I am in writing, 
or than, I believe, your grace will be in reading them. 
When I came here my stock was but little above 
ten shillings, and my wife's at home scarce so much. 
She soon sent me her rings, because she had noth- 
ing else to relieve me with, but I returned them." 

We mention this not to approve of ministers hold- 
ing on to an unwilling people, (for we think that when 
they are persecuted in one city they had better "flee 



STATE OF RELIGION. 



23 



into another "), but to indicate the energetic character 
of the man. He had a will and power of endur- 
ance that knew no surrender where he was sure that 
he was right. This characteristic, though highly 
commendable, and its opposite equally despicable, 
often leads people into many ridiculous embarrass- 
ments, especially where it is connected with religious 
bigotry. It did so with this good man. He was an 
intense loyalist, and, observing one evening at the 
close of family prayers, that his wife did not respond 
*'Amen" to the prayer for the king, asked her the 
reason. She replied that she did not believe in the 
title of the Prince of Orange to the throne. ' ' If 
that be the case," he replied, ''we must part; for if 
we have two kings we must have two beds." His 
wife being ''inflexible," he soon left, and was gone 
about a year, when the king died, and Queen Anne 
ascended the throne. Being now agreed again, he 
returned, and matters went on harmoniously between 
them as before. 

With all this apparent austerity, he was genial, 
and often not a little humorous, which relieved his 
other peculiarities. On the whole, he was a strong, 
good man, ahead of his times in Christian enterprise. 
Dr. Stevens justly says: "He had the zealous energy 
of his Methodist sons; and, had it not expended 
itself in incipient literary labors, it would probably 
have led him into extraordinary evangelical schemes, 
like those which resulted in Methodism." But, as it 
was, he seemed to foresee better days for religion. 
"Be steady," he said to his son Charles, when ncar- 
ing his end; "the Christian faith will surely revive in 
this kingdom. You will sec it, though I shall not." 



24 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



Mrs. Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and 
Charles, was a woman of extraordinary character and 
capacity. Her father, Dr. Samuel Annesley, Avas an 
eminent Non-conformist minister, and suffered much 
persecution. Richard Baxter pronounced him ''to- 
tally devoted to God." Too much can hardly be 
said in his praise as a man or a Christian. Still, his 
daughter, imitating his independence, took sides in 
the argument with the Church against the Dissenters 
at the age of tJiirteen years, and six years after was 
married to Samuel Wesley — a thoroughly educated, 
beautiful young lady, ''one of the completest char- 
acters, moral and intellectual, to be found in the his- 
tory of her sex." Dr. Adam Clarke, speaking of 
her, says: "Such a woman, take her all in all, I 
have not heard of, I have not read of, nor with her 
equal have I been acquainted." . . . "Many 
daughters have done virtuously, but Susanna Wesley 
has excelled them all." 

She seems to have been a woman of high com- 
mon-sense, of vast capabilities for her position, and 
wonderful effectiveness. Though she had so large a 
family, and guided and educated them all as few 
mothers ever did, she found time to keep herself 
posted on the questions of the day, so that she was 
able to correct the errors of her talented sons, and 
keep them out of trouble to which they were ex- 
posed. Seeing that John was becoming a little m3^s- 
tified by brooding over Thomas a Kempis's "Imita- 
tion," she wrote him, "I take Kempis to have been 
an honest, weak man, who had more zeal than 
knowledge," hitting the nail of his error square on 
the head. How she could find an hour each morn- 



STATE OF RELIGION. 



25 



ing and evening for meditation and prayer, with all 
her domestic cares, it is difficult to understand, to 
say nothing of several important literary projects 
which she devised. But this is aside from our point. 
It is the stock which we are considering, and we find 
it to be of the first order on both sides. 

FAMILY TRAINING. 

The education of the Wesleys was commenced at 
the rectory, under the sole direction of their mother. 
The family school was opened and closed with sing- 
ing, and continued from nine till twelve and from 
two till five. No one was taught to read until five 
years old. The system was perfect, and did much 
to lay the foundation of our ecclesiastical economy, 
which has attracted so much attention. 

Mrs. Wesley, though opposed to Dissenters, was 
no slave to the Church, but followed reason and 
common-sense in training her children and others for 
God and usefulness, beyond the range of the estab- 
lished formulas. In the absence of her husband, she 
opened the rectory to her neighbors, and conducted 
religious service herself by reading sermons, prayer, 
and conversation. Her husband was horrified at such 
an innovation, and wrote her accordingly; but she 
assured him that she chose the most awakening ser- 
mons they had, and allowed no worldly conversation. 
"We keep close to the business of the day," she 
said, ''and as soon as it is over, they all go home. 
And where is the harm of this? I believe we had 
above two hundred hearers last Sunday, and many 
went away for want of room." Afterward more came 
than ordinarily attended the Church, with some who 



26 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



never attended, and a considerable number were re- 
formed. The parish clerk was alarmed, and Avrote 
to the rector to hurry home and stay the disorder; 
but he hesitated to take sides with dead Church 
order against his good wife and her loving and re- 
forming neighbors. He proposed that she should 
take the responsibility of stopping the meetings, to 
which she replied, ''Do not advise, but command 
me to desist." A distinguished writer remarks that 
in this letter — and it is equally true of the whole 
proceeding — ''she was bringing to its place a corner- 
stone of the future Methodism." 

It is a great thing to be "born again," "born of 
the Spirit," but it is almost equally necessary to the 
best practical results to be born into the world rigJit — 
of the right stock — and to be educated from birth 
for our life's work. The Wesleys had every thing 
in their birth and training to adapt them to the ex- 
traordinary mission to which they were called. Their 
parents were first called, their father a poet and 
their mother an organizer and a governess, and both 
benevolent, enterprising, and persistent. In this 
happy combination of qualities, we find the Spring 
from which Methodism has gone forth to replenish a 
perishing world. 

Another event at the rectory is worthy of notice. 
We have referred to the fact of its being twice set 
on fire by the rabble. In the first instance it was 
partially consumed, the family only escaping in their 
night-clothes, the mother being considerably burned. 
Her safety having been ascertained, it was found 
that John, then six years old, was missing. The 
father attempted to reach his room, but was driven 



STATE OF RELIGION. 



27 



back by the flames in despair. Kneeling down upon 
the ground to commend his soul to God, the little 
fellow awaked, and, seeing his danger, ran to the 
window and was taken out safely by one peasant 
standing upon the shoulders of another, just as the 
roof fell in. ''Come, neighbors," said the father, as 
he received his son, ''let us kneel down; let us give 
thanks unto God. He has given me all my children, 
let the house go; I am rich enough." That brand 
plucked out of the fire has since improved the spir- 
itual fortunes of millions. 

JOHN WESLEY LEAVING HOME. 

At the age of eleven, John was placed under that 
eminent scholar Dr. Walker, principal of the Char- 
ter House school. Here he had some rather severe 
experiences, though a favorite with his tutors; but, 
such was his application, at the age of sixteen he was 
elected to Christ Church, Oxford. Being placed un- 
der Dr. Wigan, a gentleman of great classical knowl- 
edge, he pursued his studies with much energy. His 
natural temper, it is said, was gay and sprightly, 
with a turn for wit and humor. Mr. Babcock ob 
serves of him that "when he was about twenty-one 
years of age, he appeared the very sensible and 
acute theologian — a young fellow of the finest class- 
ical taste, of the most liberal and manly sentiments. 
His perfect knowledge of the classics gave a smooth 
polish to his wit and an air of superior elegance to 
all his compositions." 

Being about to enter into deacon's orders, his 
attention was called to the nature and importance of 
the work, and the motives and qualifications neces- 



28 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



sary to its successful prosecution. Reflection led to 
some just perception of the magnitude of the under- 
taking, and that to further investigation. He now 
began to study divinity with a new zest, and became 
more anxious than ever to enter into orders. Some 
of the books that occupied his attention were among 
the most spiritual and heart-searching of the age, 
such as **The Imitation of Christ," by Kempis, and 
Bishop Taylor's "Rules of Holy Living and Dying." 
These made a deep impression, and "aroused his 
whole soul to the subject. If they were right, he 
was wrong. In his extremity, like a true son, not 
spoiled by a college course, he wrote to his parents, 
stating his difficulties, and received very able and in- 
teresting responses from each of them. This corre- 
spondence drew out the best thoughts of both pupil 
and teachers; but, while it indicates deep interest in 
the subject of religion generally, it betrays the want 
of a clear understanding of salvation by faith. 

ORDAINED DEACON AND RETURNS TO EPWORTH. 

Having fully prepared himself for the holy office, 
according to the standard of the age, he was ordained 
deacon on the 19th of September, 1725, by Dr. Pot- 
ter, then Bishop of Oxford. This only increased his 
interest in the study of divinity and the classics, and 
such became his standing for character and learning 
that on the 17th of March, 1726, he was elected 
Fellow of Lincoln College, an appointment of no 
inconsiderable honor or profit, and one that was not 
without its influence on the work for which Provi- 
dence was preparing the way. 

The following Summer he spent at Epworth and 



STATE OF RELIGION. 



29 



Wroote, reading prayers, preaching twice on the Sab- 
bath, and otherwise assisting his father in the various 
duties of his parish. This situation was highly favor- 
able to his interests, not only as it gave him an 
opportunity to cultivate the pastoral office under the 
paternal tuition of an experienced master, but to 
mature his knowledge of experimental and practical 
theology by frequent conversations with his esteemed 
parents, which he did not fail to improve. On the 
2 1st of September, he returned to Oxford, and was 
soon chosen Greek lecturer and moderator of the 
classes, though little more than twenty-three years 
of age, and not yet advanced to the master's degree. 

His advancement in religious tendencies was not 
less marked. Writing to his mother about this time, 
he says: *'The conversation of one or two persons, 
whom you may have heard me speak of (I hope 
never without gratitude), first took off my relish for 
most other pleasures, so far that I despised them in 
comparison of that. I have since proceeded a step 
further, to slight them absolutely; and I am so little 
at present in love with even company, the most ele- 
gant entertainment next to books, that, unless the 
persons have a religious turn of thought, I am much 
better pleased without them. I think it is the set- 
tled temper of my soul that I should prefer, at least 
for some time, such retirement as would seclude me 
from all the world, to the station I am now in. Not 
that this is by any means unpleasant to me, but I 
imagine it would be more improving to be in a place 
where I might confirm or implant in my mind what 
habits I would without interruption before the flexi- 
bility of youth is over." 



30 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



How to dispose of himself in accordance with 
these predilections was not easy to determine. He 
first thought of a school in Yorkshire, which fell into 
the hands of another who stepped in before him. 
His father, having two livings, and not finding it con- 
venient to obtain an assistant to his mind, now in- 
vited him to become his curate, which he did. 

ORDAINED PRIEST AND RETURNS TO OXFORD. 

In July, 1728, he was inducted into the office of 
priest, and soon after left his curacy at the call of 
the rector of his college, and returned to Oxford. 
Here he found his brother Charles standing vigor- 
ously up against the tide of infidelity which was set- 
ting in upon the students on all sides, and united 
with him in the pursuit of learning, and in doing 
good. Besides attending to the duties of his office, 
he became tutor to various pupils placed under 
his care, and labored assiduously for their welfare. 
His address to the tutors of the university indicates 
the objects and spirit of his endeavors. '*Ye vener- 
able men," said he, **who are more especially called 
to form the tender minds of youth,- to dispel thence 
the shades of ignorance and error, and train them 
up to be wise unto salvation; are you filled with the 
Holy Ghost? with all those fruits of the Spirit 
which your important office so indispensably re- 
quires? Is your heart whole with God? full of 
love and zeal to set up his kingdom on earth? Do 
you continually remind those under your care that 
the one rational end of all our studies is to know, 
love, and serve the only true God, and Jesus Christ 
whom he hath sent? Do you inculcate upon them, 



STATE OF RELIGION. 



31 



day by day, that love alone never faileth? Whereas, 
'whether there be tongues, they shall fail,' or philo- 
sophical knowledge, 'it shall vanish away;' and that 
without love all learning is splendid ignorance, pom- 
pous folly, vexation of spirit? Has all you teach an 
actual tendency to the love of God, and all mankind 
for his sake? Have you an eye to this end in what- 
soever you prescribe touching the kind, the manner, 
and the measure of their studies ; desiring and labor- 
ing that wherever the lot of these young soldiers of 
Christ is cast they may be so many burning and 
shining lights, adorning the Gospel of Christ in all 
things? And permit me to ask. Do you put forth 
all your strength in the vast work you have under- 
taken? Do you labor herein with all your might, 
exerting every faculty of the soul, using every tal- 
ent which God hath lent you, and that to the utter- 
most of your power?" 

The process by which his mind had reached this 
intensity of religious devotion is best stated in his 
own words, which are as follows: ''In the year 
1725, being in the twenty-third year of my age, I 
met with Bishop Taylor's 'Rules and Exercises of 
Holy Living and Dying.' In reading several parts 
of this book, I was exceedingly affected with that 
part in particular which relates to purity of inte7ition. 
Instantly I resolved to dedicate all my life to God: 
all my thoughts and Avords and actions: being thor- 
oughly convinced that there was no medium, but 
that every part of my life must either be a sacrifice 
to God or to myself, that is, in effect, to the devil. 

"In the year 1726 I met with Kempis's 'Christian 
Pattern.' The nature and extent of inward religion, 



32 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the religion of the heart, now appeared to me in 
a stronger hght than ever it had done before. I saw 
that giving even all my life to God would profit me 
nothing, unless I gave my heart, yea, all my heart, 
to him. I saw that simplicity of intention and pur- 
ity of affection, one design in all we speak or do, 
and one desire ruling all our tempers, are indeed the 
wings of the soul, without which we can never ascend 
to the mount of God. 

*'A year or two after, Mr. Law's 'Christian Per- 
fection' and 'Serious Call' were put into my hands. 
These convinced me more than ever of the absolute 
impossibility of being half a Christian. And I deter- 
mined through his grace to be all devoted to God, 
to give him all my soul, my body, and my sub- 
stance. In 1729 I began not only to read, but to 
study the Bible, as the one, the only, standard of 
truth, and the only model of pure religion. Hence, 
I saw, in a clearer light, the indispensable necessity 
of having the mind which was in Christ, and of 
w^alking as Christ also walked; even of having, not 
some part only, but all the mind which was in him, 
and of walking as he walked, not only in many, or 
in most respects, but in all things. And this was 
the light wherein at this time I generally considered 
religion, as a uniform following of Christ, an entire 
inward and outward conformity to our Master." 

This conviction and this consecration were cor- 
rect. They strike the topmost round of religious 
possibility. He seems to have apprehended the 
whole thing at a glance, and given himself fully to 
its pursuit by penances and prayer, rather than by 
faith in Christ. 



STATE OF RELIGION, 



33 



MOVEMENTS AT OXFORD. 

Under these convictions he entered more fully 
into the work of God. Conversing with his brother 
Charles, afterward with Mr. Morgan, Mr. Hervey, 
(one of his pupils, and author of the ''Meditations"), 
Mr. Whitefield, and others, they agreed to meet and 
read divinity on Sunday evenings. The next Sum- 
mer they began to visit the prisoners in the Castle, 
and the sick and poor in the town. By degrees their 
meetings assumed a more religious character, and 
embraced in their exercises the careful examination 
of the Greek Testament, and close personal conver- 
sation on the deep things of God. To these means 
of spiritual improvement they added the observance 
of the Wednesday and Friday fasts, and the weekly 
sacrament. They were fifteen in number, and as Mr. 
Wesley observed, " all of one heai^ and mind.'' 

Such a spectacle could but attract attention, espe- 
cially as religion was in a low state; there being 
little of it in the community, except the form, and 
scarcely enough of that to meet the claims of the 
municipal law, or the rules of the university. Each 
one spake of the young men according to his par- 
ticular fancy; some well, some ill. A rude youth, 
of Christ Church, observing the exact regularity of 
their lives and studies, characterized them as a nezv 
set of Methodists,'' in allusion to a class of ancient 
physicians distinguished by that name. The same 
spirit of reproach which suggested the title gave it 
popularity, and immortalized the young men it was 
designed to crush. Taking no offense at any thing, 
and, withal, perceiving that their new cognomen 



34 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



expressed in a word exactly what they would be in life 
and godliness, they responded to it in all cheerful- 
ness, as their successors have done, hoping never 
to dishonor it by the least departure from the ways 
of well-doing. 

The history of this little company is full of inter- 
est, and may be found detailed in Moore's **Life of 
Wesley." It is a checkered page, exposing the en- 
mity of the carnal mind, and illustrating the truth 
of the declaration, **A11 that will live godly in Christ 
Jesus shall suffer persecution;" but not more fully 
than it confirms the encouraging announcement of the 
Holy Spirit, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, 
bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again 
with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." The 
conflict was severe, but they succeeded. Many were 
benefited by their endeavors, and they received a 
hundred-fold in discipline for the more difficult 
achievements of coming days. Mr. Wesley was the 
master spirit of the band. His absence from Oxford, 
only for a few weeks, was attended with serious conse- 
quences in several instances, which compelled him to 
see the importance of his presence to its growing in- 
terests. Hence, when urged to accept his decHning 
father's place at Epworth, a sense of duty required 
him to resist, and still cleave to his pupils and the 
little society with which he was surrounded. 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



35 



CHAPTER II. 



FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE LEADING SPIRITS CONCERNED 
IN THE ORIGIN OF METHODISM, EMBRACING 
THEIR CONVERSION. 

\T T^E have follovi^ed John Wesley with some par- 



V V ticularity from his birth to the priesthood and 
fellowship at Oxford, standing at the head of the 
**Holy Clubb. " Let us now glance at some of the 
other master spirits, beginning with 



Charles was born December i8, 1708, more than 
five years after his brother John. He was sent to 
Westminster, and placed under the tuition of his 
brother Samuel. While there Garret Wesley, of Ire- 
land, no relation of his, however, except in name, 
proposed to adopt and make him heir to his large 
estate; but after due consideration, he declined the 
generous overture, and, to use the language of his 
brother John, ''made a fair escape" from fortune. 
But Richard Colley accepted the position, and be- 
came distinguished by holding many important 
offices, going to Parliament, and finally by becoming 
Baron Mornington, the grandfather of the Marquis of 
Wellesley and the Duke of Wellington. 

Charles prosecuted his studies, and was elected, 
at the age of eighteen years, to Christ Church College, 




CHARLES WESLEY. 



36 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Oxford. He was healthy and buoyant, never know- 
ing,^ as he afterward declared, fifteen minutes of 
low spirits" during his life. Still he was oppressed 
with religious convictions that he was out of har- 
mony with God, and far from that communion with 
him which the Scriptures represent as possible. 
This was owing in part, at least, to his good mother, 
who never ceased to bear him on her heart. ''Now," 
said she to him, in good earnest, ''resolve to make 
rehgion the business of your life; for, after all, that 
is the one thing necessary. All things besides are 
comparatively little to the purposes of life." 

He, too, read "Kempis" and other similar works, 
which led to self-abnegation, inward struggles, and 
outward sacrifices, to merit and produce holiness 
without faith in Christ and without any certain 
knowledge of having it. At Oxford he became one 
of the Holy Club, and is said to have been the first 
to be called a "Methodist." Here, too, he became 
a Bachelor of Arts and a college tutor, and graduated 
to the ministry in due course. 

GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 

Whitefield was born in poverty at the Bell Inn, 
Bristol, in 17 14, some eleven years after John 
Wesley, and had few opportunities for religious im- 
provement. At fifteen years of age he "put on his 
blue apron and his snuffers," and went into the work 
of a "common drawer." As to his religious condi- 
tion, he says, " If I trace myself from my cradle to 
my manhood, I can see nothing in me but a fitness 
to be damned." But the inevitable little work of 
Thomas a Kempis, which made such an impression on 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



37 



the Wesleys, fell into his hands and deeply impressed 
him with religious convictions, under which he fell 
to fasting twice a week for thirty-six hours together 
until he fasted himself almost to death, praying many 
times a day, and going to the church and the sacra- 
ment continually. Hearing of the Holy Club at Ox- 
ford, ' ' he loved them. " With these feelings he entered 
the University as a ''poor student," where he paid 
his expenses chiefly by serving other students who 
were in better circumstances. Here he made the 
acquaintance of Charles Wesley, and found a con- 
genial spirit. Joining the Club, he says, "they built 
me up daily in the knowledge and fear of God, and 
taught me to endure hardness as a good soldier of 
Jesus Christ." Being impulsive and a fond admirer of 
Kempis, he veered at one time toward Quietism ; but 
was converted by the Wesleys, who had been saved 
from the same error by their excellent mother. After 
they left Oxford he became the ruling spirit of the 
Club, and maintained that rigid application to study 
and religious discipline which was to qualify him to 
shake the world by his eloquence. 

Wesley's mission to America. 

Having but just escaped the importunities of his 
friends to accept the rectorship at Epworth, by the 
assignment of that living to another party, John 
Wesley was designated as the most suitable person 
to take charge in the Georgia colony, as a mission- 
ary, both of the colonists and the Indians. Whether 
he ought to accept this call was too grave a question to 
settle hastily. Therefore he took time to consider, 
and immediately wrote to his mother and other 



38 



HIST OR V OF METHODISM. 



friends, as he was wont do on all questions of magni- 
tude. His mother replied in these memorable words : 
"Had I twenty sons, . I should rejoice that they 
were all so employed, tJwtigJi I sJioiild never see them 
more.'' His brother Samuel acquiesced in the meas- 
ure, as did his eldest sister, and some others; but 
still he hesitated. At length, however, after reason- 
able deliberation, he determined to leave Oxford and 
go to America. His brother Charles signifying his 
willingness to accompany him, arrangements were 
made for that purpose, and they commenced their 
voyage about the middle of October, 1735. ''Not 
to avoid want," says Mr. John Wesley, "God having 
given us plenty of temporal blessings, nor to gain the 
dung and dross of riches and honor ; but singly this, to 
save our souls, and to live wholly to the glory of God. 

They left London, October 14, 1735, and found 
on board the ship one hundred and twenty-four per- 
sons. The ship at once assumed the aspect of a 
church and school, under the generally recognized 
leadership of John Wesley, having specified hours 
for public worship, study, and private devotions. 
(Wesley's Works, Vol. HI, pp. 14-18.) The exam- 
ple of these pious young ministers is worthy of the 
careful study of the traveling clergy of the pres- 
ent day. 

Their labors in Georgia were not so successful as 
they anticipated, particularly among the Indians, and 
their conflicts and sufferings were considerable. The 
fact is, John Wesley, to say nothing of his brother, 
was a High-churchman, and carried out his honest 
convictions to the letter, much like the Puseyites of 
the present day. This injured their influence, as it 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



39 



ought to have done. Then they were ceremonially 
too religious, and imposed burdens without the joys 
of salvation, which few of any age or country are in- 
clined to embrace except in the immediate presence 
of death and hell, and then only as the least of evils. 

Seeing that they could effect nothing to their sat- 
isfaction, they returned to England wiser and better 
men than when they left it, Charles in about one 
year, by the way of Boston, where he preached in 
the King's Chapel, and John fifteen months later. 
But their mission was not a failure, though it did 
not succeed in its primary design. God's plans were 
deeper and broader than those of his sincere but 
misguided servants. The truth is, anxious as Mr. 
Wesley had been to be wholly the Lord's, and scru- 
pulously as he had lived in all godliness and honesty, 
he did not know God or himself or human nature, 
and was utterly unprepared for the great work for 
which he was being trained. He needed this very 
experience, just as much as Saul of Tarsus needed to 
go to Damascus and see religion exemplified in Ana- 
nias and the other disciples, and be instructed by 
them in the kingdom of God, in order to fit him for 
his destined work. Notwithstanding all his fastings, 
self-denials, and spiritual agonies, he had never been 
born again, and was ignorant of justification by faith 
and the renewing of the Holy Ghost as an instanta- 
neous work. He had worked and suffered for salva- 
tion, but had not believed with a heart unto righteous- 
ness. He hoped that he was a Christian, but had no 
joyful assurance of it, and therefore was more of a 
sen>ant than a son of God, and was influenced more 
by fear than love; and yet, according to the prevail- 



40 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



ing theology of the day in its brightest and purest 
aspects, he lacked nothing but continuance in well- 
doing to insure him the highest enjoyments of relig- 
ion here and an inheritance Avith the saints hereafter. 

A NEW DISCOVERY. 

The chief advantage of the Georgia mission is 
yet to be stated. It was the attainment of a proper 
understanding of the new birth and its influence on 
the heart. This was to come from a source that 
human wisdom would not have suggested, yet in 
admirable accordance with the simplicity of the 
divine plan of hum.bling the pride of man and of 
securing all the glory of his salvation to Him to 
whom it rightfully belongs. 

When he embarked for Georgia, he found twenty- 
six Germans on board, all members of the Moravian 
Church, and deeply experienced in the things of 
God. Observing their Christian deportment, Mr. 
Wesley set himself to learn the German language, 
that he might converse with them. The existence 
of fear in his own heart, and the exhibition of pecul- 
iar graces in the Moravians, gave him much trouble. 
Referring to them, he said: had long observed 
the p-reat seriousness of their behavior. Of their 
humility they had given a continual proof by per- 
forming those servile offices for the other passengers 
which none of the English would undertake, for 
which they desired and would receive no pay, say- 
ing, 'It was good for their proud hearts, and their 
loving Savior had done more for them.' And every 
day had given them occasion of showing a meekness 
which no injury could move. If they were pushed, 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



41 



struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went 
away, but no complaint was found in their mouths. 
There was now an opportunity of trying whether 
they were delivered from the spirit of fear, as well 
as from that of pride, anger, and revenge. In the 
midst of the Psalm wherewith their service began, 
the sea broke over, split the mainsail in pieces, cov- 
ered the ship, and poured in between the decks as if 
the great deep had already swallowed us up. A ter- 
rible screaming began among the English; the Ger- 
mans calmly sung on. I asked one of them afterward, 
'Was you not afraid?' He answered, 'I thank God, 
no.' I asked, *But were not your women and chil- 
dren afraid?' He mildly replied, 'No, our women 
and children are not afraid to die.' " 

On reaching Georgia, he had further intercourse 
with these pious people, and was more deeply con- 
vinced of the imperfection of his religion and the 
hollowness of his Churchly pretensions, though he 
slept on the ground and went barefooted to work out 
his salvation. 

THE RESULT STATED. 

The result of all his study and observation on his 
own heart, during his absence, is stated in his jour- 
nal. January 8, 1738, he wrote: 

"By the most infallible of proofs — inward feeling — I am 
convinced, i. Of imbelief, having no such faith in Christ as 
will prevent my heart from being troubled. 2. Of pride 
throughout my past life, inasmuch as I thought I had what I 
find I have not. 3. Of gross irrecollection, inasmuch as in a 
storm I cry to God every moment; in a 'calm, not. 4. Of lev- 
ity and luxuriancy of spirit, appearing by my speaking words 
not tending to edify, but most by the manner of my speaking 
of my enemies. Lord, save or I perish! Save me, i. By 

4 



42 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



such a faith as imphes peace in hfe and death; 2. By such 
humihty as may fill my heart from this hour forever with a 
piercing, uninterrupted sense that hitherto I have done noth- 
ing; 3. By such a recollection as may enable me to cry to 
thee every moment; 4. By steadiness, seriousness, sobriety 
of spirits, avoiding as fire every word that tendeth not to ed- 
ify, and never speaking of any who oppose me or sin against 
God without all my own sins set in array before my face." 

A few days after, as he was nearing the EngHsh 
shore, he wrote: 

"I went to America to convert the Indians; but O, who 
shall convert me? Who is he that will deliver me from this 
evil heart of unbelief? I have a fair Summer religion. I can 
talk well — nay, and believe myself — while no danger is near; 
but let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled. 
Nor can I say, ' To die is gain.' 

'I have a sin of fear, that, when I've spun 
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore.'" 

On arriving home, and reviewing his whole hfe in 
the hght of divine truth and the developments of 
Christian experience he had observed in his German 
friends, he wrote again: 

"And noAv it is upward of two years since I left my native 
country in order to teach the Georgian Indians the nature of 
Christianity. But what have I learned myself in the mean 
time? Why — what I, least of all, suspected — that I, who went 
to America to convert others, was never converted myself. / 
avi not mad, though I thus speak, but speak the words of 
truth and soberness, if haply some of those who still dream 
may awake, and see that as I am so are they. Are they read 
in philosophy? So am I. In ancient or modern tongues? 
So was I also. Are they versed in the science of divin- 
ity? I, too, have studied it many years. Can they talk 
fluently upon spiritual things? The very same I could do. 
Are they plenteous in alms? Behold, I give all my goods to 
feed the poor. Do they give of their lal)or as well as of their 
substance? I have labored more abundantly than they all. 
Are they willing to suffer for their brethren? I have thrown 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



43 



up my friends, reputation, ease, country ; I have put my life in 
my hand, wandering into strange lands ; I have given my body 
to be devoured of the deep, parched up with heat, consumed 
by toil and weariness, or whatsoever God shall please to bring 
upon me. 

" But does all this (be it more or less, it matters not) make 
me acceptable to God? Does all I ever did or can know, say, 
give, do, or suffer, justify me in his sight? Yea, or the con- 
stant use of all the means of grace (which, nevertheless, is 
meet, right, and our bounden duty) ; or that I am, as touching 
outward righteousness, blameless; or (to come closer yet) the 
having a rational conviction of all the truths of Christianity? 
Does all this give me a claim to the holy, heavenly, divine 
character of a Christian? By no means. If the oracles of 
God be true — if we are still to abide by the law and the testi- 
mony — all these things, though when ennobled by faith in 
Christ they are holy and just and good, yet without it are 
^ dung and dross' 

"This, then, I have learned in the ends of the earth: that I 
am 'falle^i short of the glory of God;' that my whole heart is 
'altogether corrupt and abominable,' and consequently my 
whole life (seeing it can not be that 'an evil tree' should 
'bring forth good fruit'); that my works, my own sufferings, 
my own righteousness are so far from reconciling me to an 
offended God, so far from making any atonement for the least 
of those sins which 'are more in number than the hairs of my 
head,' that the most specious of them need an atonement 
themselves, or they can not abide his righteous judgment; 
that, having the sentence of death in my heart, and having 
nothing in or of myself to plead, I have no hope but that of 
being justified freely 'through the redemption that is in Jesus.* 
I have no hope but that, if I seek, I shall find the Christ, and 
'be found in him, not having my own righteousness, but that 
which is of God by faith.' 

"If it be said 1 have faith (for many such things have I 
heard from many miserable comforters), I answer, So have the 
devils a sort of faith, but still they are strangers to the cove- 
nant of promise. So the apostles had even at Cana in Galilee, 
when Jesus first 'manifested forth his glory' — even then they, 
in a sort, 'believed on him,' but they had not llicn 'the faith 
that overcometh the world.' The faith I want is 'a sure trust 



44 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and confidence in God that, through the merits of Christ, my 
sifts are forgiven, and I reconciled to the favor of God;' that 
faith which enables every one that hath it to cry out, '/ live 
910 1, but Christ liveth i?t me; and the life which I now live I 
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me a7id gave him- 
self for me.' I want that faith which none has without know- 
ing that he hath it; is freed from si?i; the whole body of sifi is 
destroyed^ in him. He is freed from fear, ' having peace with 
God through Christ, a7id rejoicing iti the hope of the glory 
of God; and he is freed from doubt, ' having the love of God 
shed abroad itt his heart through the Holy Ghost which is 
given unto Imn, which Spirit itself beareih witness with his 
spirit that he is a child of God' " 

whitefield's conversion. 

As before hinted, when the Weslej^s left for 
America, Mr. Whitefield naturally became the leader 
of the Holy Club at Oxford, and had to work on 
without their assistance. His struggles were more 
intense than ever, though in the beginning of his 
convictions at Bristol he lay ''prostrate on the 
ground for whole days in silent or vocal prayer." 
''God only knows," he says, "how many nights I 
have lain upon my bed groaning under what I felt." 
For forty days during Lent he ate nothing but coarse 
bread and tea, except on Saturdays and Sundays. 
After about seven weeks of unutterable sufferings, 
God graciously gave him the spirit of adoption and 
assured him of his acceptance. "O!" said he, after- 
ward, "with what joy, joy unspeakable, even joy 
that was full of glory, was my soul filled, \\'hen the 
weight of sin went off, and an abiding sense of the 
pardoning love of God, and a full assurance of faith 
broke in upon my disconsolate soul. Surely it was 
the day of my espousals, a day to be had in ever- 
lasting remembrance. . . . Go where I would, 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



45 



I could not avoid the singing of psalms almost aloud. 
Afterward, they became more settled, and blessed be 
God, saving a few casual intervals, have abode and 
increased in my soul ever since." 

In this happy state of mind he returned to Bris- 
tol, and was soon ordained by the Bishop of Glouces- 
ter, ''When," he says, *'I offered up my whole 
spirit, soul, and body to God's sanctuary. Let come 
what will, life or death, depth or height, I shall 
henceforward live like one, who this day, in the pres- 
ence of men and angels, took the holy Sacrament 
upon the profession of being inwardly moved by the 
Holy Ghost to take upon me that ministration in 
the Church. I can call heaven and earth to witness, 
that when the Bishop laid his hands upon me, I gave 
myself up to be a martyr for Him who hung upon 
the cross for me." 

Without this consecration and baptism the name 
of Whitefield would have hardly been known. The 
appreciating bishop gave him five guineas, ''A great 
supply," said Whitefield, "for one who had not a 
guinea in the world;" and he returned to Oxford, 
after preaching his first sermon at Bristol, to push on 
the work of the ''Holy Club." But such a light 
could not be kept under that bushel. He was soon 
called to London and other places to preach, and 
every-where the people of all classes flocked to hear 
him. His word was sharper than a two-edged sword, 
and though he preached five times a week he could 
hardly get to any pulpit for the throngs that crowded 
upon his ministry. Thus matters went on until he 
sailed for Georgia, at the earnest solicitation of Mr. 
Wesley. But as he sailed out of the port Mr. 



46 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Wesley sailed into it on his return, and recorded the 
results of his American mission to which we have re- 
ferred. Mr. Whitefield carried his new life on ship- 
board, and preached, prayed, and lived with marked 
effect on the passengers and crew. Finding that Mr. 
Wesley had left, he remained in the colony but about 
four months, and then embarked for England. But 
his labors during this brief period were incessant, 
and, we trust, lastingly beneficial, though but few 
traces of them still remain. 

NEARING THE POINT. 

Being oppressed by his new discoveries, and hear- 
ing of Mr. Whitefield's spiritual emancipation, Mr. 
Wesley left no means unemployed to obtain the bless- 
ing he so earnestly desired. Count Zinzendorf, the 
founder and protector of the Moravian Society, a 
man of learning and deep experience, coming into 
the country about that time, Mr. Wesley consulted 
with him, as he did with one Peter Boehler, another 
pious Moravian. They kindly listened to all his diffi- 
culties, and endeavored to impart such advice as his 
case required. It was difficult for one of his mental 
structure, education, and religious notions, to come 
directly to the point. The idea of depending on 
nothing but Christ, and on him now, for salvation, 
and the correlative one of instantaneous conversion, — 
a sentiment generally discarded in the Church, — gave 
him great trouble. Still he kept inquiring and pray- 
ing with all his heart. 

Thinking that, perhaps, he ought to quit preaching 
until he should realize what he now savv to be neces- 
sary, he asked his friend Boehler whether he should 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



47 



not, who replied : ' ' By no means ; preach faith till 
you have it; and then, because you have it, you zvill 
preach faith." ''Accordingly," says he, "I spake 
clearly and fully, at Blendon, to Mr. Delamotte's fam- 
ily, of the nature and fruits of Christian faith. Mr. 
Broughton and my brother were there. Mr. Brough- 
ton's great objection was, 'he could never think that I 
had not faith, who had done and suffered such things.' 
My brother was very angry, and told me 'I did not 
know what mischief I had done by talking thus.' 
And, indeed, it did please God then to kindle a fire 
which I trust shall never be extinguished." 

Mr. Wesley felt deeply for others who were still 
seeking to be justified by the works of the law, as 
well as for himself Some, to whom he spoke, re- 
ceived the word gladly, and found rest to their souls 
by faith; but many doubted. Nevertheless, he com- 
mitted his whole being to the work, and by labors 
and watchings and tears, such as alarmed his friends, 
and brought down upon him the reproaches of even 
many who professed better things, to say nothing of 
others, he spread the truth of what he believed to be 
the power of God unto salvation. 

CHARLES Wesley's conversion. 

His brother Charles resisted for a time, but at 
length yielded the point, confessed himself to be 
without God and without hope in the world, and 
earnestly sought redemption in the blood of the 
Lamb, even the forgiveness of sins. "May 2ist," 
says Mr. Moore, his biographer, "he waked in hope 
and expectation of soon attaining the object of his 
wishes. At nine o'clock his brother and some friends 



48 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



came in, and sung a hymn. When they left, he be- 
took himself to prayer. Soon afterward, a person 
came and said in a very solemn manner, 'Believe in 
the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and thou shalt be 
healed of all thine infirmities.' The words went 
through his heart, and animated him with confidence. 
He looked into the Scriptures, and read, 'Now, Lord, 
what is my hope ? truly, my hope is even in thee. ' He 
then cast his eyes on these words, 'He hath put a new 
song into my mouth, even a thanksgiving tmto our God; 
many shall see it and fear, and put tJieir trust in the Lord. ' 
Afterward he opened upon Isaiah xl, i, 'Comfort ye, 
comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye 
comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her 
warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, 
for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for 
all her sins.' In reading these passages of Scripture 
he was enabled to view Christ as 'set forth to be a 
propitiation for his sins, through faith in his blood, ' and 
received, to his unspeakable comfort, that peace and 
rest in God which he had so earnestly sought. 

"The next morning he waked with a sense of the 
divine goodness and protection, and rejoiced in read- 
ing the 107th Psalm, so nobly descriptive, he ob- 
serves, of what God had done for his soul. Yet he 
had no self-confidence. 'This day,' says he, *I had 
a humbling view of my own weakness, but was en- 
abled to contemplate Christ in his power to save to 
the uttermost all who come 7mto God by him.' " 

JOHN WESLEY STRANGELY WARMED. 

Though Mr. John Wesley had not yet realized the 
fullness of what he was urging upon the acceptance 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



49 



of others, he was not discouraged. May 24th 
(three days after his brother's conversion), about five 
in the morning, according to his own account, he 
opened his Testament on these words, ''There are 
given zinto us exceeding great and p7'ecio2is promises, that 
by these ye inight be partakers of the divine nature.^' 
**Just as I went out," says he, ''I opened it again 
on these words, 'Thou art not far from the kingdom of 
God.' In the afternoon I was asked to go to St. 
Paul's. The anthem was, 'Out of the deep have I 
cahed unto thee, O, Lord ; Lord, hear my voice. O, 
let thine ears consider well the voice of my com- 
plaint. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what 
is done amiss, O, Lord, who may abide it! But 
there is mercy with thee; therefore, thou shalt be 
feared. O, Israel, trust in the Lord; for with the 
Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous re- 
demption: and he shall redeem Israel from all his sins.' 

''In the evening I went very unwillingly to a 
society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading 
Luther's 'Preface to the Epistle to the Romans.' 
About a quarter before nine, while he was describing 
the change which God works in the heart through 
faith in Christ, / felt my heart strangely zvanned. I 
felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation ; 
and an assurance was given me that he had taken away 
my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin 
and death. ' ' 

This was the crisis toward which God had been 
drawing him for years — the luminous point he must 
reach to be properly endowed for his high calling. 
It was indispensable for him to knoiv the things 
whereof he affirmed. This revelation of God to his 

5 



50 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



soul assured him that what he had beheved vv-as the 
truth as it is in Jesus, and enabled him to declare it 
with unwavering confidence. It revealed to him the 
nature and evidences of religion with the clearness of 
light, and gave him the ''power with God and with 
men" that was necessary to the position which he 
was to occupy. 

In determining the magnitude of this wonderful 
change, it must be remembered that he regarded it 
as the same that he saw among the Germans on ship- 
board, and that he had sought ever since. It was 
evidently more than pardon. His consecration being 
complete, lacking nothing so far as he saw, or can 
now be discovered, and seeking "all the mind which 
was in Christ," is it not reasonable to believe that he 
was then and there saved from all sin? Certainly it 
was a more thorough work than is generally ex- 
perienced in conversion. 

WESLEY AMONG THE MORAVIANS. 

Havine obtained this wonderful sense of God's 
love, Mr. Wesley felt inclined to see more of the 
singular people who had advised him in his time of 
distress, and took a journey on foot to Herrnhut, on 
the borders of Bohemia, where he found about a 
hundred houses, and a persecuted people, who had 
fled from the tyranny of Romanism to enjoy religious 
liberty. He spent about two weeks with them, and 
seems to have enjoyed it very much. ''God," he 
wrote, "has given me, at length, the desire of my 
heart. I am with a Church whose conversation is in 
heaven, in whom is the mind that was in Christ, who 
walk as he walked. . . . O, how high and holy 



ITS FOUNDERS. 



51 



a thing Christianity is, and how widely distant from 
that which is so called." He heard Christian David, 
who struck the first blow with his ax in starting the 
colony, and heard him say, speaking of justification, 
*'The right foundation is not your conviction, though 
that is not your own ; not your righteousness, . . . 
but the righteousness and the blood of Christ. To 
him that believeth on God that justifieth the ungodly, 
his faith is accounted for righteousness. This do, then, 
go straight to Christ with all your ungodliness; tell 
him. Thou seest that I am ungodly; I plead nothing 
else. I do not say that I am humble or contrite, but 
I am ungodly; therefore, let thy blood be the propi- 
tiation for me." Every thing about them was relig- 
ious; even their recreations and funerals resounded 
with praise to God. 

Mr. Wesley was delighted, and would "gladly 
have spent his life" there had he not heard the 
Master calling him%to other fields. Gathering many 
useful hints as to doctrine and discipline, he retraced 
his steps to carry them into effect in spreading Scrip- 
tural holiness over the world, reaching England Sep- 
tember, 1738. 



52 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE ORGANIZATION AND EARLY PROGRESS OF METH- 
ODIST SOCIETIES, WITH THE ORIGIN OF SEVERAL 
OF THEIR PECULIARITIES. 



HE happy conversion of the three distinguished 



-1- characters, detailed in the preceding chapter, 
made a powerful impression on the public mind. In 
their new zeal, they went forth preaching to crow^ded 
assemblies in such demonstration as had never been 
known in England, and, of course, were soon shut 
out of the churches, and driven to hospitals, prisons, 
private dwellings, and Moravian meeting-houses, to 
which they were always welcome. They had glor- 
ious times in all these places, and many were enabled 
to believe. 

Speaking of a love-feast, Mr. Wesley says, ' 'About 
three in the morning, as they were continuing instant 
in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon 
them, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding 
joy, and many fell to the ground." Whitefield called 
it a "Pentecostal season indeed." 



Following the instincts of their new life, no less 
than the dictates of a sound policy, the little band 
liad previously organized themselves into a society 




THE FIRST METHODIST SOCIETY. 



ITS PROGRESS, 



53 



for mutual improvement, agreeing to the following 
regulations : 

1. That they would meet together once a week, to "confess 
their faults one to another, and pray one for another, that they 
might be healed." 

2. That the persons so meeting should be divided into sev- 
eral bands, or little companies, none of them consisting of 
fewer than five, or more than ten persons. 

3. That every one, in order, should speak as freely, plainly, 
and concisely as he could, the real state of his heart, with his 
several temptations and deliverances since the last time of 
meeting. 

4. That all the bands should have a conference at eight 
every Wednesday evening, begun and ended with singing and 
prayer. 

5. That any who desire to be admitted into this society 
should be asked. What are your reasons for desiring this? Will 
you be entirely open, using no kind of reserve? Have you 
any objections to any of our orders ? 

6. That when any new member was proposed, every one 
present should speak clearly and freely whatever objection he 
might have to him. 

7. That those against whom no reasonable objection ap- 
peared, should be, in order for their trial, formed into one or 
more district bands, and some person agreed on to assist them, 

8. That after two months' trial, if no objection then ap- 
peared, they should be admitted into the society. 

9. That every fourth Saturday should be observed as a day 
of general intercession. 

10. That on the vSunday seven-night following, there should 
be a general love-feast, from seven till ten in the evening. 

11. That no particular member should be allowed to act 
in any thing contrary to any order of the society; and that if 
any persons, after being therein admonished, should not con- 
form thereto, they should not longer be esteemed as members. 

This took place in London, and has been re- 
garded the origin of Methodism. Mr. Wesley, how- 
ever, refers its origin to three distinct periods. 
He says, "The first rise of Methodism was in 



54 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



November, 1729, when four of us met together at Ox- 
ford. The second was at Savannah, in April, 1736, 
when twenty or thirty persons met at my house. 
The last was at London, on this day [May i, 1738], 
when forty or fifty of us agreed to mieet together 
every Wednesday evening, in order to free conversa- 
tion, begun and ended with singing and prayer." 
The reader can place it to suit his own judgment. 
But, if we mistake not, place it where he will, he 
will recognize God as its author; his glory, and the 
best good of man, its tendency and aim. 

SHUT OUT OF THE CHURCHES. 

The Wesleys Avere now objects of special atten- 
tion. They had been generally considered ''over- 
much righteous" for several years, though they had 
not entirely broken loose from the prevailing errors 
of the times. But now that they had imbibed senti- 
ments which, if true, involved nearly the whole Church 
in condemnation — branded their righteousness as 
"filthy rags," and their long cherished hopes as 
vain and deceptive, they were supposed to be crazy. 
And the more so, because they professed to have 
demonstrated the truth of their doctrine by a joyful 
experience of its provisions in their own souls. Men 
care little about cold opinions, but, as one writer ob- 
serves, ''speak of faith in such a manner as makes 
Christ a savior to the utmost, a most universal 
help and refuge; in such a manner as takes away 
glorying, but adds happiness to wretched man; as 
discovers a greater pollution in the best of us than 
we could before acknowledge, but brings a greater 
deliverance from it than we could before expect; if 



ITS PROGRESS. 



55 



any one offers to talk at this rate, he shall be heard 
with the same abhorrence as if he was going to rob 
mankind of their salvation, their Mediator, or their 
hopes of forgiveness." 

Mr. Wesley had been refused permission to preach 
in many of the churches of London some time before, 
but now more especially. He therefore preached as 
the providence of God opened his way. "In several 
places, while he was expounding the Scriptures, many 
persons trembled and fell down before him. Some 
cried aloud, and others appeared convulsed as in the 
agonies of death. Many of these were afterward emi- 
nent professors of the holiness and happiness of re- 
ligion, and declared they had at the time such a deep 
sense of the nature of sin, and of the just wages of 
it, that they were constrained to cry aloud for the dis- 
quietude of their heart. " Writing to a friend, he says: 

"Though my brother and I are not permitted to 
preach in most of the churches in London, yet, 
thanks be to God, there are others left, wherein we 
have liberty to speak the truth as it is in Jesus. . . . 
Nor hath he left himself without witnesses of his grace 
and truth. Ten ministers I know now in England, 
who lay the right foundation, ' The blood of Christ 
cleansctli us from all sin.' Over and above whom I 
have found one Anabaptist, and one, if not two, of 
the teachers among the Presbyterians here, who, I 
hope, love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and 
teach the way of God in Truth." 

ORIGIN OF FIELD PREACHING. 

This was encouraging, but still the way of these 
good men was hedged up. What could they do? 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Various plans were suggested, but they seemed to 
look more to this Avorld than to the next, and were 
therefore rejected. Mr. Whitefield was heartily united 
with the brothers in the work of God. But where 
could he preach ? Not in the churches, for they were 
generally closed; not in private dwellings, for they 
were too smxall. Preaching one day "with great 
freedom of heart and voice," to a crowded assembly, 
while a thousand more stood around the church, and 
not a few retired for want of room, the happy thought 
of proclaiming the Word of God as Christ did, in 
the open air, rushed upon his mind. He mentioned 
it to a few friends, but they did not favor it, they 
thought it disorderly and fanatical ; but after making it 
a miatter of prayer for a while, he betook himself to 
the fields and highways, and thus attracted thousands 
to hear the Gospel who would not have gone to the 
churches had they been open. Mr. AVesley hesitated 
a little at this seeming irregularity, but when he came 
to consider the example of Christ, and that he was 
excluded from the churches, "I submitted," says he, 
"to be yet more vile, and proclaimed in the high- 
ways the glad tidings of salvation, speaking from a 
little eminence in a ground adjoining to the city 
[Bristol] to about three thousand people." He did 
not choose this position; but accepted it as the best 
that was open to him to preach Christ and save souls. 
And God evidently approved, for "many who had 
8et all laws, human and divine, at defiance, and were 
utterly without God in the world, now fell before the 
majesty of heaven, and acknowledged that 'a prophet 
^^■as sent among them.' Cries and tears' on every 
hand frequently drowned his voice, while many ex- 



ITS PROGRESS. 



57 



claimed in the bitterness of their soul, ' What must 
I do to be saved?' Not a few of these were soon 
'filled ivith peace and joy in believing, ' and evidenced 
that the Avork was really of God, by holy, happy, 
and unblamable w^alking before him. Blasphemies 
were now turned to praise, and the voice of joy and 
gladness was found where wickedness and misery 
reigned before." 

This strange proceeding attracted vast assemblies, 
often reaching to twenty tJwnsand, and came near 
overwhelming its projectors with excommunication; 
but it was an important measure for Methodism. 

THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

One result of it was the formation of a society in 
Bristol like the one in London. The object of their 
association was to build each other up in the faith 
of Christ, in order to which they agreed to meet 
together. But here was a difficulty: they had no 
place sufficiently large to accommodate them. This 
suggested the idea of building a room to accommo- 
date such as wished to be present at the preaehi?ig 
as well as the society meetings, and accordingly the 
corner-stone of the first Methodist meeting-house the^ 
world ever sawwas laid on Saturday, May 12, 1739. 

The peculiar settlement of this house, and the 
circumstances which led to it and justified it, ex- 
plain a feature in Methodist economy that has not 
be6n well understood. We will give Mr. Wesley's 
account of the matter in his own words. had 
not at first," says he, *'the least apprehension or 
design of being personally engaged either in the ex- 
pense of the work or in the direction of it, having 



58 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



appointed eleven feoffees, on whom I supposed these 
burdens would fall, of course. But I quickly found 
my mistake, first, with regard to the expense, for 
the whole undertaking iiiiist have stood still had not 
I immediately taken upon myself the payment of all 
the workmen; so that, before I knew where I was, 
I had contracted a debt of more than a hundred 
and fifty pounds; and this I was to discharge how I 
could, the subscriptions of both societies not amount- 
ing to one-quarter of the sum. And as to the direc- 
tion of the work, I presently received letters from 
my friends in London, Mr. Whitefield in particular, 
backed with a message by one just come from thence, 
that neither he nor they would have any thing to do 
with the building, nor contribute any thing toward 
it, unless I would instantly discharge all feoffees and 
do every thing in my own name. Many reasons 
they gave for this, but one was enough, namely, 
'That such feoffees Avould always have it in their 
power to control vie, and, if I preached not as they 
liked, to turn me out of the room I had built.' I 
accordingly yielded to their advice, and, calling all 
the feoffees together, canceled (no man opposing) the 
instruments made before, and took the whole man- 
agement into my own hands. Money, it is true, I 
had not, nor any human prospect or probability of 
procuring it; but I knew 'the earth is the Lord's 
and the fullness thereof,' and in his name set out, 
nothing doubting." 

THE PROGRESS AND MANNER OF THE WORK OF GOD. 

From this time the work of God spread in eveiy 
direction, triumphing over the prejudices and opposi- 



ITS PROGRESS. 



59 



tion of men of various ranks and conditions, and 
effecting such results on the hearts and hves of many 
as had never been seen before, and societies were 
formed in many places. Says Mr. Wesley: 

"Such a work this hath been in many respects 
as neither we nor our fathers had known. Not a 
few whose sins were of the most flagrant kind — 
dntiikards, siveairrs, thieves, zvhoreniongers, adtdter- 
ers — have been brought from darkness nnto light, and 
fro7n the power of Satan 7into God. Many of these 
were rooted in their wickedness, having long gloried 
in their shame, perhaps for a course of many years, 
yea, even to hoary hairs. Many had not so much 
as a rational faith, being Jews, Arians, Deists, or 
Atheists. Nor has God only made bare his arm in 
these last days in behalf of open publicans and sin- 
ners, but many of the Pharisees also have believed 
on him — of the righteous that seemed to need no 
repentance — and, having received the sentence of 
death in themselves, have then heard the voice that 
raiseth the dead — have been made partakers of an 
inward, vital religion, even righteousness, peace, and 
joy in the Holy Ghost. 

''The manner wherein God hath wrought this 
work is as strange as the work itself. In any par- 
ticular soul it has generally, if not always, been 
wrought in one moment. As the lightning shineth 
from heaven, so was the coming of the Son of man, 
either to bring peace or a sword ; either to wound or 
to heal; either to convince of sin or to give remis- 
sion of sins in his blood. And the other circum- 
stances attending it have been equally remote from 
what human wisdom would have expected, so true 



6o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



is that word, 'My ways are not as your ways, nor 
my thoughts as your thoughts.' These extraordinary 
circumstances seem to have been designed by God 
for the further manifestation of his work, to cause 
his power to be known, and to awaken the attention 
of a drowsy world." 

Not satisfied to confine the Gospel within the 
limits of their own country, these pioneers visited 
Wales, then dead in trespasses and sins of every 
sort, where, finding the churches shut against them 
as at home, they preached Jesus in the streets and 
private dwellings w^ith their usual power, and many 
were converted and united together to run the race 
set before them. Griffith Jones, a regular Welsh 
clergyman, co-operated with them. Howell Harris, 
also, a layman of that Church, exhorted and prayed 
among the poor, and established many societies, and 
did much good; but his own people resisted him, 
and refused him ordination to the last. He was too 
religious for the times. Persecution, extending to 
much violence, attended the progress of all these 
good men; but God was with them, and their work 
remains to this day. 

LAY PREACHING RESISTED. 

By this time Mr, Charles Wesley had overcome 
his scruples about preaching out of Church, and had 
joined with his brother and Mr. Whitefield in calling 
after sinners in the highways and hedges; but he 
was not a little annoyed by the attempt of a lay- 
man, a Mr. Bowers, to speak after he had closed, 
which Avas so palpable a breach of Church order that 
both he and Mr. Whitefield declared against it. The 



ITS PROGRESS. 



6i 



necessity of such efforts had not yet appeared, nor 
had these men of God become so weaned from their 
Church notions as to countenance any divergence 
from canonical restrictions. This was the first at- 
tempt at lay preaching among them, and it met with 
so much opposition that Bowers soon confessed his 
error; but the spirit that throbbed in his bosom was 
destined to speak out. 

SEPARATION FROM THE MORAVIANS AND THE ADOPTION 
OF GENERAL RULES. 

About this time (May i, 1743) the society in 
London fell into dangerous errors by means of the 
Moravians, with whom they were associated. This 
led to an able discussion of the points of difference, 
and finally to the division of the society and the 
separation of Mr. Wesley from the Moravian body. 
Great efforts Avere made to heal the breach, but all 
in vain, and probably for the best. Though Wes- 
ley's heai't was with the Moravians, his judgment 
was against reunion. He saw their weaknesses, and 
feared their influence. These differences, together 
with the m.ultiplication of societies, suggested the 
importance of having some definite basis of union, 
which, while it should invite all serious persons to 
the highest privileges of the Gospel, would authorize 
the pastors of the flock to eject such from their fel- 
lowship as should prove themselves unworthy of 
confidence. This necessity was supplied by the 
adoption of a most excellent plan of procedure in 
London, Bristol, Kingswood, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
etc., entitled, ''The General Rules of Our United 
Societies." (Wesley's Works, Vol. V, pp. 190-192.) 



62 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



SEPARATION OF MR. WHITEFIELD. 

Things now seemed to be settling into a more 
systematic and permanent state. The Wesleys v/ere 
seeing eye to eye, as they had not ahvays done. 
Mr. Whitefield and various others of the regular 
clergy were with them in spirit, and in effort, as far 
as it was practicable, in their different circumstances, 
and other appearances were flattering; but no slight 
shade was soon cast over their prospects by an 
occurrence the least anticipated. Mr. Whitefield de- 
parted from the faith. Having made a second tour 
in America, extending from August, 1739, to Janu- 
ary, 1 74 1, and been honored by all classes as no 
other minister ever was, particularly by the Calvinis- 
tic clergy, who greatly predominated in the colonies, 
he was overcome, and imbibed their sentiments. Of 
course, he could not heartily co-operate with Wesley 
as before, he being an Arminian, though he had es- 
tablished no doctrinal standard for his societies. The 
consequence was what might have been expected, 
namely, debate and alienation. As an honest man, 
Whitefield felt obliged to preach Calvinism, but did 
it, no doubt, in a good spirit; but some of his sym- 
pathizers thought it to be their duty to explode what 
they called the Arminian heresy in the little societies, 
contrary to the rules which forbade controversy, and 
they did so. The first trouble occurred in London, 
with one Acourt, whom Charles Wesley rejected. 
Appealing to his brother afterward, he asked, "Do 
you refuse to admit a person into }'our society only 
because he differs from you in opinion?" "Wliat 
opinion do you mean?" inquired Wesley. "That of 



\ 



ITS PROGRESS. 



63 



election," answered Acourt, and added, ''I hold a 
certain number is elected from eternity, and these 
must and shall be saved; and the rest of mankind 
must and shall be damned: and many of your soci- 
ety hold the same." never asked whether they 
hold it or no," repled Wesley; ''only let them 
not trouble others by disputing about it." "Nay," 
answered Acourt, "but I will dispute about it; 
because you are all wrong, and I am resolved to set 
you all right." Being refused admission to the soci- 
ety for this purpose, he said, "Then I will go and 
tell all the world that you and your brethren are 
false prophets, and in one fortnight you will all be 
in confusion." (Wesley's Works, Vol. Ill, p. 185.) 

"The disturbance which this opinion occasioned 
at Bristol, and the parts adjacent," says Mr. Moore, 
"was not so soon or so easily quieted. Mr. Wesley 
had permitted an excellent young man, Mr. Cennick, 
afterward a minister of the Moravian Church, to pray 
with and exhort the society at Kingswood, as well as 
to superintend the school during his absence. Mr. 
Cennick now embraced the doctrine of the decrees; 
and soon after seems to have lost all love and respect 
for his former friend, speaking against him and his 
doctrine with much contempt and bitterness. The 
consequence was that, after some fruitless efforts 
to heal the breach, Mr. Cennick departed, and car- 
ried off with him about fifty of the society, whom 
he formed into a separate connection. Mr. Wesley 
mourned over this young man in such a manner as 
evinced that he held him in high esteem." 

Fearing nothing for the cause, and especially from 
contention, all things being ordained from everlasting, 



64 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



those who sympathized with Mr. Whitefield improved 
every opportunity to make converts to their new 
opinions. This occasioned no httle disquietude. If 
the doctrines of Whitefield and his followers were 
true, Methodism must be false. Being diametrically 
opposed to each other, both could not be true. 

To meet the emergency, Mr. Wesley printed a 
sermon on Predestination, exposing the absurdity of 
the particular views contended for by the Calvinists. 
This gave considerable offense, and led to a separa- 
tion of the two parties, an event much to be regretted 
in many respects; but which, considering the doc- 
trinal differences existing among them, was indis- 
pensable to success. The truth is, the two systems 
are antagonistic to each other. It is not possible to 
harmonize them. One of them is essentially false, 
and can not co-operate with the other without creat- 
ing a controversy. This is true, whether we look at 
the subject in the light of facts, philosophy, or relig- 
ion. And hence we regard all attempts to effect an 
amalgamation of religious elements, thus radically 
discordant, as worse than in vain. The best, we be- 
lieve, that can be done in such cases, is that which 
Wesley and Whitefield (bating the use of some few 
emphatic expressions) did; namely: to separate, and 
work out their respective systems; but still, so to 
love each other, and the cause of God, as to rejoice 
in each other's success in winning souls to Christ. 

This, these two men of God did in a high degree. 
True, they spake perhaps too plainly to each other, 
in a few letters that passed between them; but, after 
all, they loved as brethren ; and Mr. Wesley closed 
the controversy by saying, "How easy it were for 



ITS PROGRESS. 



65 



me to hit many other palpable blots, in that which 
you call an answer to my sermon ! And how above 
-measure contemptible would you then appear to all 
men, either of sense or learning? But I spare you; 
mine hand shall not be upon you. The Lord be 
judge between me and thee! The general tenor both 
of my public and private exhortations, when I touch 
thereon at all, as even my enemies know, if they 
would testify, is, 'Spare tJie yoitng man, even Absalom, 
for my sake. ' " 

How kindly these remarks were received is in- 
dicated by the following words, in a letter from Mr. 
Whitefield, written some months after: ''I long to 
hear from you, and write this hoping to have an 
answer. I rejoice to hear the Lord blesses your 
labors. May you be blessed in bringing souls to 
Christ more and more ! I believe we shall go on best 
when we only preach the simple Gospel, and do not 
interfere with each other's plan. . . . Brother 
Charles has been pleased to come and see me twice. 
Behold, what a happy thing it is for brethren to 
dwell together in unity! That the whole Christian 
world may all become of one heart and one mind; 
and that zve, in particular, though differing in judg- 
ment, may be examples of mutual, fervent, undis- 
sembled affection, is the hearty prayer of, reverend 
and dear sir, your most affectionate, though most 
unworthy, younger brother in the kingdom and 
patience of Jesus." 

This letter was answered in the same brotherly 
spirit, and the mutual regard of these excellent men 
suffered no diminution to the last. So that Mr. 
Whitefield found it in his heart to record in his last 

6 



65 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



will and testament, ''I leave a mourning ring to my 
honored and dear friends, and distinguished fellow- 
laborers, the Rev. Messrs. John and Charles Wesley, 
in token of my indissoluble union with them, in 
heart and Christian affection, notwithstanding our 
difference in judgment about some particular points 
of doctrine." Under the impulse of the same feel- 
ing, he often expressed a wish to have Mr. Wesley 
preach his funeral sermon, should he die first. And 
he did so, giving a full proof of profound love for the 
partner of his youthful conflicts. 

THE FIRST LAY PREACHER. 

Another necessity, arising from the growing state 
of the societies, was now manifest. Mr. Wesley's 
desire was that the established clergy should watch 
over such as he and his associates had brought to 
repentance, and encourage them in faith and practice, 
as their spiritual interests required. But most of 
them did no such thing. They acted more like ivolves 
than shepherds, ridiculing their religion, repelling 
them from the Lord's table, and otherwise hindering 
rather than helping them. The result was, many 
turned back to the world, and plunged into sin. 

How to remedy this difficulty w^as a serious ques- 
tion. Every society needed a pastor; but the pastors 
were few, and these must travel all over the king- 
dom. This suggested the appointment of some 
layman, of deep piety and sound judgment in divine 
things, to meet the others and confirm them, by 
reading, conversation, and prayer, as he might be 
able. No other plan seemed at all practicable, and 
this would not always serve well, for the want of the 



ITS PROGRESS. 



67 



right style of men, as we have seen in the case of 
Mr. Cennick, who was one of the first Avhom Mr. 
Wesley honored with his special confidence, and the 
veiy first to divide the society and set up an inde- 
pendent meeting. 

The society in London had suffered much by false 
teaching, and been considerably scattered. There- 
fore, as Mr. Wesley was about to leave the city, he 
appointed a young man, a Mr. Maxfield, whom he 
considered sound in the faith, to meet it at the usual 
times, and, by such means as were suitable for a 
layman, to encourage the members to stand fast. 
Being fervent in spirit, and mighty in the Scriptures, 
he pleased and profited the people greatly, and dem- 
onstrated the wisdom of the lay pastorate involved 
in this novel scheme. 

But Providence had designs beyond the mere ben- 
efit of the little flock. The talent and energy of 
Maxfield attracted many to his meetings, whose atten- 
tion indicated that they were a people prepared for 
the Lord. This led him out further than he at first 
designed or than was consistent with the prevailing 
notions of Church Order at that time. He began to 
preacJi. But notwithstanding the measure was not 
approved by the Established Church, the Lord blessed 
it, and many were deeply awakened and brought to the 
joyful knowledge of the truth. This, however, did 
not justify the inrgiilarity'' in the esteem of some. 
There are individuals in most places who hold Church 
Order above every other consideration. God must 
work by their rules, and sinners be converted in 
their way, if at all, or there will be trouble. So 
it was in this case. While not a few rejoiced in the 



68 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



glorious results of this strange innovation, many trem- 
bled for the honor of the priestly ofhce, and complaint 
was rife on all sides. 

Mr. Wesley being directly informed of the dis- 
order, hastened to London to arrest it. But before 
he saw Mr. Maxfield, the timely advice of his ever 
considerate and pious mother moderated his dis- 
pleasure, and suggested the propriety of an exami- 
nation, which at first was not thought necessary. 
Seeing, on his arrival, that something troubled him, 
she inquired what it was; to which he abruptly 
replied, "Thomas Maxfield has turned preacher, I 
find." Looking him attentively in the face, "John," 
said she, ' ' you know what my sentiments have been. 
You can not suspect me of favoring readily any thing 
of this kind. But take care what you do with respect 
to that young man, for he is as surely called of God 
to preach as you are. Examine what have been the 
fruits of his preaching, and hear him for yourself." 
He did so, and was constrained to say, ' ' // is the 
Lord. Let Juin do luhat sconcth to hint good.'' 

"In other places, also," says the biographer of 
Mr. Wesley, "the same assistance was afforded." 
But he submitted to it with reluctance. His High 
Church principles stood in his way. But such 
effects were produced, he frequently found himself 
in the condition of Peter, who, being questioned in a 
matter somevdiat similar, could only relate the fact, 
and say, " What zuas /, that I coidd ivitJistand GodV 

JOHN NELSON STRANGELY CALLED. 

But the Lord was about to show him greater things 
than these. An honest man, a mason, of Bristol, in 



ITS PROGRESS. 



69 



Yorkshire, whose name was John Nelson, coming up 
to London to work at his trade, heard that word 
which he found to be the ' 'power of God unto salva- 
tion.'' Nelson had full business in London and large 
wages. But from the time of making his peace with 
God, it was continually on his mind that he must 
return to Kis native place. He did so about Christ- 
mas. His relations and acquaintances soon began to 
inquire "what he thought of this 'new faith?' And 
whether he believed there was any such thing as a 
man's knowing that his sins were forgiven?" John 
told them, point blank, ' ' That this new faith, as they 
called it, was the 'old faith of the Gospel;' and that 
he himself was as sure that his sins were forgiven 
as he could be of the shining of the sun." This was 
soon noised abroad, and more and more came to in- 
quire concerning these strange things. Some put 
him upon the proofs of the great truths which such 
inquiries naturally led him to mention. And thus 
he was brought unawares to quote, explain, com- 
pare, and enforce several parts of Scripture. This 
he did, at first sitting in his house, till the com- 
pany increased so that the house could not contain 
them. . Then he stood at the door, which he was 
commonly obliged to do in the evening, as soon as 
he came from work. God immediately set his seal 
to what was spoken ; and several believed, and there- 
fore declared in the midst of the people that God 
was merciful also to their unrighteousness, and had 
forgiven all their sins. 

Here was a preacher, and a large congregation, 
many of whom were soundly converted, without the 
direct agency of Mr. Wesley ; but l\e fully acquiesced 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



in the work, and rejoiced that the thoughts of God 
were not as his thoughts. 

Thus we see the origin of lay preaching, to which 
Methodism, and through it the Christian world, is so 
much indebted. Who that is not blinded by Popish 
notions of apostolic succession can fail to see that it 
w^as a divine conception, and owes its existence to the 
direct appointment of Providence? Though the min- 
istry has greatly increased since, it has not yet su- 
perseded the necessity of this appliance, because the 
people have increased also, and, after all, there are 
fields of ministerial usefulness to be occupied that it 
is not in the powxr of the regular clergy of all the 
denominations to supply. But more of this hereafter. 

LEANINGS TOWARD THE MORxWIANS COUNTERACTED. 

This new development introduced Mr. Wesley 
to Yorkshire, where he labored much, and where re- 
ligion has taken deeper root than in almost any 
other part of England. It opened the way also to 
other fields, and gave a new impetus to the work. 
But the day of trials was not past. Since Mr. Wes- 
ley's separation from the Moravians, some of his old 
friends had left him and gone over to them ; but what 
was most painful of all, his brother Charles manifested 
strong tendencies in the same direction. This was 
a source of profound sorrow. But still he trusted in 
the Lord, having no separate interest to promote, 
and wrote his brother a pathetic letter, in which we 
find these words: "O! my brother, my soul is grieved 
for you ; the poison is in you ; fair words have stolen 
away your heart. 'No English man or woman is like 
the Moravians!' So the matter is come to a fair 



ITS PROGRESS. 



/I 



issue. Five of us did stand together _a few months 
since, but two are gone to the right hand (Hutchins 
and Cennick), and two more to the left (Mr. Hall 
and you). Lord, if it be thy Gospel which I preach, 
arise and maintain thine own cause." 

This letter took effect, and brought his brother 
more fully into union with himself, and into the itin- 
erant work. He immediately proceeded to Oxford, 
and from thence to Gloucester, and elsewhere, preach- 
ing Jesus in various places, but chiefly in the high- 
ways and hedges, from Whitefield's pulpit — the stone 
wall; and thousands flocked to hear him, upon whom 
God wrought with power. Convictions were often 
quick and distressing, and conversions sudden and 
clear as the meridian sun. To show that God is no 
respecter of person or rank, the work extended to all 
grades of society, if we except those of the highest 
fashion and folly, who generally avoid the Gospel 
altogether, but won its greatest conquests among the 
laboring classes. The poor colliers especially drank 
deep at the fountain of life, and manifested the most 
astonishing improvement that grace ever produced. 
"June 22d," says Mr. Wesley, "I went again to learn 
Christ among our colliers, and drink into their spirit. 
We rejoiced for the consolation. God knows their 
poverty; but they are rich, and daily entering into 
his rest. They do not hold it necessary to deny weak 
faith in order to get strong. Their souls truly wait 
upon God in his ordinances. Ye many masters, 
come learn Christ of these outcasts; for know that, 
except ye be converted, and become like these little 
children, ye can not enter into the kingdom of 
heaven." 



72 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



THE POWER OF THE * ' NEW RELIGION." 

The new religion also gave its subjects wonderful 
victory over death. Speaking of a sister Hooper, 
says Mr. Wesley: "I asked her whether she was 
not in great pain. ' Yes, ' she answered, ' but in 
greater joy. I would not be without either.' 'But 
do you not prefer either life or death?' She replied: 
'All is alike to me. Let Christ choose; I have no 
will of my OAvn.' I spoke with her physician, who 
said he had little hope of her recovery; 'only,' he 
added, 'she has no dread upon her spirits, which is 
generally the worst symptom. Most people die for 
fear of dying; but I never met with such people as 
yours. They are none of them afraid of death, but 
calm and patient and resigned to the last.' " 

DEATH OF MRS. SUSANNA WESLEY. 

The agency of this noble woman in laying the 
foundation of Methodism entitles her to everlasting 
remembrance. As we have seen, her sons were 
rigid Churchmen, and not only stuck fast to the 
Establishment, but carefully resisted any thing like 
innovation upon its arrangements. The first attempt 
at lay speaking in public, Charles quashed at once. 
John would have suppressed Maxfield as promptly, 
had not his pious mother interposed with timely and 
prudent counsel. This saved Methodism in that mo- 
ment of danger, for that was the hinge on which the 
fortunes of the day turned. 

She was equally useful on other occasions. 
Spending her last days with him at the Foundery, 
she spared no pains to aid him in every emergency. 



ITS PROGRESS. 



73 



July 23, 1742, she finished her honored course, when 
her children gathered about her bed and sung a 
psalm, according to her dying request. August ist, 
they laid her by the side of her venerated husband, 
in the presence of an ''innumerable company." Mr. 
Wesley afterward preached on the words, ''I saw the 
dead, small and great, stand before God," etc., *'to 
one of the most solemn assemblies," he says, "I ever 
saw or expect to see this side eternity." 

7 



74 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE PERSONAL SACRIFICES OF THE LEADERS NEW DEVICES 

AND VIOLENT PERSECUTIONS. 

1\^T O one who properly considers the worldly pros- 



i- ^ pects of the founders of Methodism, had they 
pursued the ordinary course of professional men, can 
for a moment question their sincerity. Dr. White- 
head, who wrote to disparage them, paid them a 
high compliment in spite of his deep-seated preju- 
dice, when contemplating the wonderful effects of 
their unrequited labors. "Viewing itinerant preach- 
ing in this light," he says, "we see its importance, 
and must acknowledge that the authors of it deserve 
great praise, especially as they introduced it by their 
own example, under great difficulties and hardships. 
Their prospects in life, from their learning, their abil- 
ities, and their rank in society, were all sacrificed to 
the plan of itinerancy. They had every thing to lose 
by it — reputation, health, and the esteem of their 
friends — and nothing in this world to gain but great 
bodily fatigue, ill usage from the mob, and general 
contempt; and, as only three persons united together 
in the plan, they could not expect to form any ex- 
tensive or permanent establishment. It is evident 
from their writings that these three ser\'ants of God 
did not look to any distant consequences of their 
proceedings. They contented themselves with doing 




PERSONAL SACRIFICES AND PERSECUTIONS. 75 

as much good as possible in the way which opened 
before them; and they truly labored, also, for their 
own continuance in the faith, knowing that unfaith- 
fulness to their calling would impair, and in the issue 
destroy it." 

ORIGIN OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 

This brings us to consider another necessity of 
the cause, and its supply. Mr. Wesley had been in- 
duced to form his followers into societies from observ- 
ing that where they were not thus formed they soon 
relapsed into their former habits ; and the experiment 
showed the wisdom of the measure. A little reflec- 
tion also convinced him that this was the very course 
pursued from the beginning of Christianity. He had 
been constrained to preach in the highways and other 
unconsecrated places by the closing of the churches 
against him, and had felt compelled to allow pious 
laymen to exhort, and even preach, by the refusal 
of the regular clergy to watch over the souls of 
inquirers and give them such instructions as they 
needed. 

But still there were frequent defections which 
brought great scandal upon the cause, and yet no 
remedy appeared. "At length," Mr. Wesley re- 
marks, "while we were thinking of quite another 
thing, we struck upon a method for which we have 
cause to bless God ever since. I was talking with 
several of the society in Bristol concerning the means 
of paying the debts there, when one stood up and 
said, ' Let every member of the society give a penny 
a week till all are paid.' Another answered, 'But 
many are poor and can not afford to do it.' 'Then/ 



76 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



said he, 'put eleven of the poorest with me, and, if 
they can give any thing, well. I will call on them 
weekly, and, if they can give nothing, I will give for 
them as well as for myself; and each of you can call 
on eleven of your neighbors weekly, receive what 
- they give, and make up what is wanting.' It was 
done. In a while some of these informed me 'they 
found such and such a one did not live as he ought.' 
It struck me immediately, 'This is the thing, the very 
thing, we have wanted so long.' I called together 
all the leaders of the classes [so they called the col- 
lectors], and desired that each would make a partic- 
ular inquiry into the behavior of those whom he 
saw weekly. They did so. Many disorderly walk- 
ers were detected. Some turned from the evil of 
their ways; some were put away from us. Many 
saw it with fear, and rejoiced unto God with rev- 
erence." 

The same arrangement was soon adopted in Lon- 
don, and in all the other societies, with the happiest 
effect. Each leader was required to see every mem- 
ber of his class once a week, at least, to inquire after 
the prosperity of their souls; to advise, reprove, or 
exhort, as it was found necessary; to receive what 
they were disposed to give, and to meet the minister, 
and stewards, etc., as at the present time. But at 
first the leaders visited the members at their own 
houses. This v/as soon found to be inconvenient, 
and, in some cases, impracticable. Hence, it was 
agreed that the members of each class should meet 
together once a week, and the leader was required 
to visit only those who might be absent. So much 
for the origin of our classes. 



PERSONAL SA CRIFICES AND PERSE CUTIONS. 7 7 



WATCH-MEETINGS HOW ORIGINATED. 

About this time intelligence reached Mr. Wesley 
that the brethren at Kingswood had fallen into the 
practice of occasionally spending the greater part of 
the night in prayer and praise. At the same time he 
was advised to put an end to it, as a disorder that could 
not be tolerated without danger to the cause. But the 
fact that it was a new measure was not sufficient to sat- 
isfy him that it might not be right and useful, nor the 
other fact that it was opposed. He took time, there- 
ford, to "weigh the thing thoroughly," and finding a 
practice among the early Christians of much the 
same character, he could not persuade himself to for- 
bid it. For the sake of obtaining fuller information 
as to the meetings themselves, he sent word to the 
brethren that he Avould watch with them on the Fri- 
day nearest the full moon. He did so, preaching at 
eight or nine, and continuing the exercises a little 
beyond midnight, praying and praising God amid a 
throng of spectators. The effect was good. God so 
wrought by this means that it was introduced in 
other places, and continued once a month for a long 
time. Some of the opposers thought the effect 
attributable to the novelty of the thing, or, perhaps 
to the silence of the night, to which Mr. Wesley 
wisely replied: am not careful to answer in this 
matter. Be it so. However, the impression then 
made on many souls has never since been effaced. 
Now, allowing that God did make use of either the 
novelty or any other indifferent circumstance, in 
order to bring sinners to repentance, yet they are 
brought; and herein let us rejoice together." 



78 



HISTORY OF MEIHODISM. 



Thus, our watch-meetings originated, like lay 
preaching-, in what was regarded the excessive zeal 
of individuals; and though by no means as service- 
able to the cause, they have no doubt proved an 
efficient auxiliary in saving souls from death. 

ORIGIN AND OBJECT OF QUARTERLY TICKETS. 

It was about this time also that another custom 
was started; namely, the giving of quarterly tickets 
to the faithful of the flock. It happened on this 
wise: as the society increased, Mr. Wesley saw the 
necessity of greater care to separate the precious from 
the vile ; and determined to converse with each mem- 
ber once in three months personally. In carrying 
this purpose into effect, it occurred that it might 
be w^ell for him to give such as he found walking in 
the truth some testimonial of character and connec- 
tion with the society. For this purpose he prepared 
a ticket, which, being publicly explained, had all the 
form of a full length recommendation. Those Avho 
bore these tesseree, as the ancients called them, were 
acknowledged by their brethren of other societies, and 
received with cordiality. They also found ready 
access to all the society meetings ; while those whose 
conduct had been such as to render them unworthy 
of receiving the quarterly tickets were excluded. 

The practice thus started has been of excellent 
service in more ways than one. Though it has not 
been rigidly carried out, particularly in this country, it 
is, nevertheless, among our regulations, and will var}" in 
its application and utility just as the ministry varies 
in its pastoral fidelity. Originating in an effort to be 
more critical in watching over the flock, and defend- 



PERSONAL SACRIFICES AND PERSECUTIONS. 79 



ing it from the corrupting influence of unworthy 
characters, it will always be found useful in the exe- 
cution of this holy design. 

BAND-MEETINGS HOW AND WHY STARTED. 

The same grand pursuit suggested the band-meet- 
ings also. Many were anxious for a more intimate 
union. They had conflicts which it would not be 
proper to detail in a promiscuous society, but in 
relation to which they needed counsel no less than on 
other points. ''In compliance with their desire," 
says Mr. Wesley, "I divided them into smaller com- 
panies; putting the married or single men, and mar- 
ried or single women, together. In order to increase 
in them a grateful sense of all the mercies of the 
Lord, I desired that one evening in a quarter they 
should all come together, that we might ''eat bread {2^.^ 
the ancient Christians did) ivitJi gladness and singleness 
of lie art.'' This was the origin of love-feasts, which 
still survive among us. 

Thus we see that these peculiarities of Methodism 
were of providential origin, springing out of the spir- 
itual necessities of the pious, and of perishing sin- 
ners. There seems to have been no planning, no 
human ingenuity, no speculation. Mr. Wesley's 
plans were the plans of tJie Episcopal CJmrcii. He 
kneiv no other, he zvanted no other, till the necessity 
appeared, and the measure stood up before him like 
a real presence; and then he adopted it for the sake 
of the cause, though in doing so he had to depart 
from a long-cherished system of operations, to which 
he had adhered v/ith undeviating tenacity, until he 
was born of the Spirit. 



8o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



THE WORK STARTING IN GERMANY. 

He had now a number of helpers after his own 
heart, besides many class and band leaders, whose 
services were indispensable to his benevolent designs. 
The preaching of the Word A\^as with power. It 
was generally extemporaneous, and directly adapted 
to the circumstances of the people, as the sermons 
of other clergy were not. The hearers, even the low 
and despised, listened with astonishment, and made 
haste to "repent and be converted." Several sol- 
diers of the British army, whom the Holy Spirit had 
conquered, going into Germany, began to preach 
Jesus to the army, and great was the power of God 
that attended them. 

Mr. Haime, writing to Mr. Wesley, says: *'We 
remained in this camp eight days, and then removed 
to a place called Arsk. Here I began to speak 
openly at a small distance from the camp, just in 
the middle of the English army. We sung a hymn, 
which drew about two hundred soldiers together, 
and they all behaved decently. After I had prayed, I 
began to exhort them ; and, though it rained, very few 
went away. Many acknowledged the truth; in par- 
ticular a young man, John Greenwood, who has kept 
with me ever since, and whom God has lately been 
pleased to give me for a fellow-laborer. Our society 
is now increased to upward of two hundred, and the 
hearers are frequently more than a thousand; although 
many say I am mad, and others have endeavored to 
incense the field marshal against us. I have been 
sent for and examined several times. But, blessed be 
God, he has always delivered me." 



PERSONAL SA ORIFICES AND PERSEOUTIONS. 8 1 



One of his hearers, who cried out to his comrades 
to ''come azvay, and not hear that fool any longer," 
received an arrow to his heart, and ' ' roared out in the 
bitterness of his soul," till God turned his heaviness 
into joy. 

JOHN Evans's conversion. 

John Evans wrote of this same divine: "I be- 
lieved myself a very good Christian till we came to 
Winter-quarters, where I met with John Haime. 
But I was soon sick of his company: for he robbed 
me of my treasures; he stole away my gods, telling 
me I and my works were going to hell together. 
This was strong doctrine to me. When the Lord 
had opened my eyes, and shown me that by grace we 
are saved through faith,' I began immediately to de- 
clare it to others, though I had not as yet experienced 
it myself. But October 23d, as William Clements 
was at prayer, I felt on a sudden a great alteration 
in my soul. My eyes overflowed with tears of love. 
I knew I was through Christ reconciled to God; 
which inflamed my soul with fervent love to him, 
whom I now saw to be my complete Redeemer. O, 
the tender care of Almighty God in bringing up his 
children !" 

OPPOSITION TO THE WORK. 

But it must not be imagined that this growing 
cause was not opposed. The spirit that christened 
its early friends Methodisty" at Oxford, found sym- 
pathy in other places. The clergy generally threw 
themselves directly in the way, and exerted their in- 
fluence against it. They had refused the preachers 
the use of their pulpits, and otherwise treated them 



82 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



as heretics and vagabonds. The drunken vicar of 
Epworth, denied Mr. Wesley the privilege of preach- 
ing in the church of his native place, where his father 
had been rector for many years, and therefore he 
preached on his father's tombstone to such a congre- 
gation as Epworth had never seen. He did this daily 
for a week, and repeated the effort afterv/ard. The 
members in many places, though correct in life and 
filled with the Spirit, had been repelled from the sac- 
rament, while infidels and swearers, and almost 
every other kind of carnal and wicked men, had been 
admitted without objection. Sermons had been 
preached denouncing the whole fraternity as a pesti- 
lent concern, that ought not be tolerated; and from 
the bishops down to their lowest clerical vassals, there 
was a hue and cry of hostility, not very dissimilar to 
that raised by the Scribes and Pharisees, under the 
ministrations of Jesus of Nazareth. 

With such an example in the house of God, 
among the pi^icsts themselves, it was not difficult to 
predict a storm from without, which would have no 
limits, except such as God might be pleased to in- 
terpose. And so it came to pass. The new sect 
being every-where spoken against by people of rank 
and religion, the tools by which the}^ execute their 
nefarious and illegal will, — the rabble, — pursued them 
from place to place with sword in hand, and, but for 
the protection of Omnipotence would have hurled 
them to oblivion. 

In London, the society was often attacked with 
showers of stones; and once an attempt was made 
to unroof the Foundery where they were assembled; 
and for some time there seemed to be no redress. 



PERSONAL SA CR IF ICES AND PERSE C U TIONS. 8 3 



In the beginning of 1743 Mr. Wesley visited Wed- 
nesbury, where, in the course of three months, so 
powerful was the work of God, a society was formed, 
consisting of some three or four hundred members. 
But Satan came also among them. The minister of 
the place, with several justices, stirred up the baser 
sort of people to outrages of the grossest kind. 
"Mobs were summoned together by the sound of 
the horn; men, women, and children, were abused 
in the most shocking manner, being beaten, stoned, 
and covered with mud. Women in delicate circum- 
stances were treated in a manner that can not be 
mentioned. In the mean time, their houses were 
broken open by any that pleased, and their goods 
spoiled or carried away; some of the owners stand- 
ing by, but not daring to oppose, as it would have 
been at the peril of their lives." 

MR. WESLEY MOBBED. 

We have room to narrate the circurpstances of 
only one or two mobs, among the hundreds which the 
infant Church was called to endure. But these suffi- 
ciently indicate the ferocity of the enemies, and the 
kind intervention of Divine Providence, to give some 
idea of what early Methodism had to withstand, and 
the help she obtained. We give the account in Mr. 
Wesley's own words. The scene of the transactions 
was Wednesbury, v/here he preached in the open air, 
at twelve o'clock. He says: 

"I was writing at Francis Ward's in the afternoon, when 
the cry arose that 'the mob had beset the house.' We prayed 
that God would disperse them. And it was so ; so that in half 
an hour not a man was left. I told our brethren, 'Now is the 



84 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



I 



time for us to go;' but they pressed me exceedingly to stay. 
So, that I might not offend them, I sat down, though I foresaw 
what would follow. Before five, the mob surrounded the house 
again, in greater numbers than ever. The cry of one and all 
was, 'Bring out the minister; we will have the minister.' I 
desired one to take their captain by the hand and bring him 
into the house. After a few sentences interchanged between 
us, the lion was become a lamb. I desired him to go and bring 
one or two of the most angry of his companions. He brought 
in two who were ready to swallow the ground with rage; but in 
two minutes they were as calm as he. 1 then bade them make 
way, that I might go out among the people. As soon as I was in 
the midst of them I called for a chair, and, standing up, asked, 
' What do any of you want with me ?' Some said, ' We want you 
to go with us to the Justice.' I replied, ' That I will with all my 
heart!' I then spoke a few words, which God applied; so that 
they cried out with might and main, ' The gentleman is an 
honest gentleman, and we will spill our blood in his defense!' 
I asked, 'Shall we go to the Justice to-night or in the morning?' 
Most of them cried, 'To-night! to-night!' On which, I went be- 
fore, and two or three hundred followed. 

" The night came before we had walked a mile, together 
with heavy rain. However, on we went to Bentley Hall, two 
miles from Wednesbury. One or two ran before, to tell Mr. 
Lane, 'they had brought Mr. Wesley before his worship. ' j\Ir. 
Lane replied, 'What have I to do with Mr. Wesley? Go and 
carry him back again.' By this time the main body came up, 
and began knocking at the door. A servant told them, ' Mr. 
Lane was in bed.' His son followed, and asked, 'What is the 
matter ?' One replied, 'Why, an 't please you, they sing psalms 
all day ; nay, and make folks rise at five in the morning. And 
what would your worship advise us to do?' ' To go home,' said 
Mr. Lane, 'and be quiet.' 

"Here they were at a full stop, till one advised 'to go to 
Justice Persehouse, at Walsal.' All agreed to this. So we 
hastened on, and about seven came to his house. But Mr. 
Persehouse likewise sent word that 'he was in bed.' Now they 
were at a stand again; but at last they all thought it the wisest 
course to make the best of their way home. About fifty of 
them undertook to convoy me. But we had not gone a hun- 
dred yards when the mob of Walsal came pouring in like a 



PERSONAL SACRIFICES AND PERSECUTIONS. 85 



flood, and bore down all before them. The Davlaston mob 
made what defense they could ; but they were weary as well as 
outnumbered. So that, in a short time, many being knocked 
down, the rest ran away, and left me in their hands. 

" To attempt speaking was vain ; for the noise on every side 
was like the roaring of the sea. So they dragged me along till we 
came to the town ; where, seeing the door of a large house open, 
I attempted to go in ; but a man catching me by the hair, pulled 
me back into the middle of the mob. They made no more 
stop till they had carried me through the main street. I con- 
tinued speaking all the time to those within hearing, feeling 
no pain or weariness. At the west end of the town, seeing a 
door half open, I made toward it, and would have gone in ; 
but a gentleman in the shop would not suffer me, saying, ' they 
would pull the house down to the ground.' However, I stood 
at the door, and asked, 'Are you willing to hear me speak?' 
Many cried out, 'No, no! knock his brains out! down with 
him! kill him at once!' Others said, 'Nay; but we will hear 
him first!' I began asking, 'What evil have I done ? Which of 
you all have I wronged in word or deed?' and continued speak- 
ing above a quarter of an hour, till my voice suddenly failed. 
Then the floods began to lift up their voice again ; many crying 
out, 'Bring him away! Bring him away!' 

"In the mean time, my strength and my voice returned, 
and I broke out aloud into prayer. And now the man who just 
before headed the mob, turned and said, ' Sir, I will spend my 
life for you. Follow me, and not one soul here shall touch a 
hair of your head.' Two or three of his fellows confirmed his 
words, and got close to mc immediately. At the same time 
the gentleman in the shop cried out, ' For shame ! For shame I 
Let him go !' An honest butcher, who was a little farther off, 
said ' it was a shame they should do tlius;' and pulled back 
four or five, one after another, who were running on the most 
fiercely. The people then, as if it had been by common con- 
sent, fell back to the right and left; while those three or four 
men took me between them, and carried me through them all. 
But, on the bridge, the mob rallied again ; we therefore went 
on one side, over the mill-dam, and thence through the mead- 
ows, till, a little before ten, God brought me safe to Wednes- 
bury; having lost only one flap of my waistcoat, and a little 
skin from one of my hands. 



86 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



"I never sa\v such a chain of providences before; so many 
convincing proofs that the hand of God is on every person and 
thing, overruhng as it seeuieth him good. 

"A poor woman in Darlaston, who had headed that mob, 
and sworn 'that none should touch me,' when she saw her fel- 
lows give way, ran into the thickest of the throng, and knocked 
down three or four men, one after another. But many assault- 
ing her at once, she was soon overpowered, and had probably 
been killed in a few minutes (three or four men keeping her 
down, and Ideating her with all their might), had not a man 
called out to them, 'Hold, Tom, hold!' 'Who is there?' said 
Tom. 'What, honest Munchin? Nay, then, let her go.' So 
they held their hands, and let her get up and crawl home as 
as well as she could. 

" From the beginning to the end, I found the same presence 
of mind as if I had been sitting in my study. But I took no 
thought for one moment before another ; only once it came into 
my mind, that if they should throw me into the river, it would 
spoil the papers that were in my pocket. For myself, I did not 
doubt but I should swim across, having but a thin coat and a 
light pair of boots. 

"By how gentle degrees does God prepare us for his will! 
Two years ago, a piece of brick grazed my shoulders. It was 
a year after that a stone struck me between the eyes. Last 
month, I received one blow ; and this evening two — one before 
we came into town, and one after w^e were gone out. But both 
were as nothing ; for, though one man struck me on the breast 
with all his might, and the other on the mouth with such force 
that the blood gushed out immediately, I felt no more pain from 
either of the blows than if they had touched me with a straw. 

"It ought not to be forgotten that, when the rest of the so- 
ciety made all haste to escape for their lives, four only would not 
stir, — William Sitch, Edward Slater, John Griffiths, and Joan 
Parks. These kept with me, resolving to live or die together. 
And none of them received one blow but William Sitch, who 
held me by the arm from one end of the town to the other. He 
was then dragged away and knocked down; but he soon rose 
and got to me again. I afterward asked him , ' what he expected 
when the mob came upon us?' He said, 'To die for him who 
had died for us;' and added, 'that he felt no hurry or fear, but 
calmly waited till God should require his soul of him,' " 



PERSONAL SACRIFICES AND PERSECUTIONS. 8/ 



At St. Ives, Mr. Wesley was roughly handled, 
and the preaching-house was pulled down to the 
ground; but we will mention only the particulars of 
his visit to Falmouth, which we find stated in his 
Journal. 

''Thursday, July 4th. — I rode to Falmouth. About three 
in the afternoon I went to see a gentlewoman who had been in- 
disposed. Almost as soon as I sat down, the house was beset 
on all sides by an innumerable multitude of people. A louder 
or more confused noise could hardly be at the taking of a city 
by storm. At first, Mrs. B. and her daughter endeavored to 
quiet them; but it was labor lost. They might as well have 
attempted to still the raging of the sea, and were, therefore, soon 
glad to shift for themselves. The rabble roared with all their 
throats, ' Bring out the Canor'um I Where is the Canoruni P 
(an unmeaning word which the Cornish rabble then used in- 
stead of Methodist.') No answer being given, they quickly 
forced open the outer door, and filled the passage. Only a 
wainscot partition was between us, which was not likely to 
stand long. I immediately took down a large looking-glass 
which hung against it, supposing the whole side would fall in at 
once. They began their work with abundance of bitter impre- 
cations. A poor girl who was left in the house was utterly as- 
tonished, and cried out, 'O, sir, what must we do?' I said, 
'We must pray.' Indeed, at that time, to all appearance, our 
lives were not worth an hour's purchase. She asked, 'But, sir, 
is it not better for you to hide yourself? To get into the closet?' 
I answered, 'No. It is best for me to stand just where I am.' 
Among those without were the crews of some privateers which 
were lately come into the harbor. Some of these, being angry 
at the slowness of the rest, thrust them away, and coming up 
altogether, set their shoulders to the inner door, and cried out, 
'Avast, lads, avast!' Away went all the hinges at once, and the 
door fell Ijack into the room. I stepped forward into the midst 
of them, and said, 'Here I am. Which of you has any thing 
to say to me? To which of you have I done any wrong? To 
you? Or you? Or you?' I continued speaking till I came 
into the middle of the street, and then, raising my voice, said, 
'Neighbors, countrymen, do you desire to hear me speak?' 



88 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



They cried vehemently, 'Yes, yes, he shall speak. He shall. 
Nobody shall hinder him.' But having nothing to stand on, 
and no advantage of ground, I could be heard by a few only. 
However, I spoke without intermission ; and, as far as the 
sound reached, the people were still, till one or two of their 
captains turned about and swore; 'Not a man shall touch him.' 
Mr. Thomas, a clergyman, then came up, and asked, 'Are you 
not ashamed to use a stranger thus?' He was soon seconded 
by two or three gentlemen of the town, and one of the alder- 
men, with whom I walked down the town, speaking all the 
time, till I came to Mrs. Maddern's house. The gentlemen 
proposed sending for my horse to the door, and desired me to 
step in and rest in the mean time. But, on second thoughts, 
they judged it not advisable to let me go out among the people 
again. So they chose to send my horse before me to Penryn, 
and to send me thither by water; the sea running close by the 
back door of the house in which we were. 

"I never saw before, no, not at Walsal itself, the hand of 
God so plainly shown as here. There I had some companions, 
who were willing to die with me; here, not a friend, but one 
simple girl, who likewise was hurried aw-ay from me in an in- 
stant, as soon as ever she came out of Mrs. B's. house. There, 
I received some blows, lost part of my clothes, and was covered 
over with dirt. Here, although the hands of perhaps some 
hundreds of people were lifted up to strike or throw, they \vere 
one and all stopped in the midway, so that not a man touched 
me with one of his fingers. Neither was any thing throwui from 
first to last, so that I had not even a speck of dirt on my clothes. 
Who can deny that God heareth the prayer? or that he liath 
all power in heaven and earth?" 

Charles Wesley, also John Nelson and other 
preachers experienced the most terrible trials of this 
sort at various times and places — clergymen ''treat- 
ing'' the rabble and urging them on in their murder- 
ous work; but God overruled the wrath of man for 
the advancement of his cause. 

It was about this time that the country was 
threatened with invasion by France and Spain. 



PERSONAL SACRIFICES AND PERSECUTIONS. 89 

Wesley was accused of being in collusion with the 
Papists — of being- a Jesuit — of keeping ■/r/<?j'/^ at his 
house in London; indeed, of all sorts of sins, and 
was arrested and imprisoned. Charles, too, was in- 
dicted for asking God in prayer to "call home his 
banished ones," it being supposed that he meant the 
"House of the Stuarts." Nelson and other preachers 
were impressed into the army, and outraged beyond 
description. The magistrates were of a piece with 
their priests. One delivered a member of the society 
over to the mob shouting "Hurrah, boys! Well 
done! Stand up for the Church!" 

Mobs and civil prosecutions, however, were 
among the least obstructions to the work. They be- 
gat sympathy, which, though it was not able to repel 
them, operated in other ways, and under other cir- 
cumstances, with good effect. Popular derision pre- 
sented a much more effective resistance to the cause, 
and accompanied with every other species of opposi- 
tion which learning, wealth, prejudice, and power can 
give, formed the mighty current that the Wesleyan 
movement had to resist. Nevertheless, by the pe- 
culiar blessing of heaven, it advanced with accumu- 
lating energy, achieving reforms among the lower 
classes that had been regarded utterly impracticable. 

OTHER EXCITING SCENES. 

That three such men as the Wesleys and White- 
field should attract public attention is not remark- 
able. Endowed by nature, education, and especially 
by the Holy Ghost, it was impossible for them to 
speak without making an impression. But there 
were extraordinary results attending their labors, 

8 



go 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



which can not be accounted for on any principles of 
human philosophy. Men and women in large num- 
bers fell to the ground under the quiet expository 
preaching of Mr. Wesley as if dead or crying for 
mercy. And when their maddened friends came to 
take them away, they fell in like manner. Blas- 
phemer's were often overwhelmed, and cried aloud, as 
if dropping into hell. One man passing by, only 
stopping for a moment to hear the sermon, was struck 
down. A man of high Church affinities, who thought 
the devil was at the bottom of the movement, was 
induced to read one of Wesley's sermons, and fell in 
his own house screaming with anguish; but he arose 
rejoicing in God. Even a Quaker, who felt moved 
to protest against these extravagances, fell to the 
ground in the midst of his speech. Had these and 
hundreds of similar events occurred under Mr. 
Whitefield's preaching they might have been at- 
tributed to his terrific and impassioned eloquence, but 
he was not there. On his second return from Amer- 
ica (July, 1739), Mr. Wesley told him of them, and 
he had many doubts; but "the next day," says 
Wesley, "he had an opportunity of informing him- 
self better, for no sooner had he begun to invite all 
sinners to believe in Christ, than four persons sunk 
down close to him, almost in the same moment. 
One of them lay without either sense or motion. The 
third had strong convulsions all over his body, but 
made no noise, unless by groans. The fourth, equally 
convulsed, called upon God with strong cries and 
tears. From this time I trust we shall all suffer God 
to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth 
him." (Wesley's Works, Vol. Ill, page 144.) 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 



91 



CHAPTER V. 

THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK — THE FIRST CONFERENCE, 
WITH THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS WHICH FOLLOWED. 

THE brothers were now fully devoted to the 
itinerant work, preaching every-where, as Prov- 
idence opened the way, some three or four times 
Sundays, and nearly every day during the week. 
John Nelson, Thomas Maxfield, and other lay 
preachers were doing excellent service, while a few 
of the regular clergy favored the movement as far as 
they could without being ostracized. David Taylor, 
a servant of Lord Huntingdon, became converted, 
and spoke to his master's tenants and others with 
marked effect. Going abroad preaching under the 
direction of the countess in the open air, he drew 
together vast crowds of the common people, who 
heard him gladly. Samuel Deacon, led by curiosity, 
fell into the current and was converted, and became a 
distinguished preacher. All went from place to place, 
as the way opened and as Mr. Wesley directed. 

But as the preachers multiplied and the work 
spread, it became necessary to adopt some system by 
which their labors should be turned to the best ac- 
count. To effect so difficult a task in a way not to 
disturb the unity of the body, and at the same time 
secure the greatest possible efficiency, Mr. Wesley 
invited a number of the clergy to meet him for con- 



92 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



sultation. The meeting was held in London, June 
25, 1744, at the Foundery, in connection with which 
Mr. Wesley had a house that he called his home, 
where he received his venerated and widowed mother 
and entertained her during the remainder of her use- 
ful life. This meeting has since been recognized as 

THE FIRST CONFERENCE. 

It consisted of six clergymen of the Church of 
England, to-wit: John Wesley, Charles Wesley, John 
Hodges, Henry Piers, Samuel Taylor, and John Mer- 
iton. It is assumed by Dr. Stevens that there were 
also present four lay preachers, which is not unlikely, 
though Mr. Wesley makes no mention of them in 
his account of the occasion. (See his Works, Vol. 
V, p. 194.) The meeting continued five days, and 
was occupied, first of all, in prayer to God for his 
guidance and blessing, and then in the consideration 
of the great doctrinal and practical questions particu- 
larly involved in their enterprise. 

That they might come to right conclusions, it 
was desired that all should have a single eye, and be 
as little children, having every thing to learn; that 
every point should be examined to the foundation; 
that each should speak whatever was in his heart till 
every question should be thoroughly debated and 
settled. This being premised, the order of the meet- 
ing was stated to be to consider, i. What to teach; 
2. How to teach; and, 3. What to do — that is, how 
to regulate our doctrine, discipline, and practice — 
whereupon they proceeded step by step in the form 
of conversation, beginning with the doctrine of jus- 
tification^ till they had agreed upon most of the 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK, 



93 



great principles which constitute the framework and 
strength of the different branches of Methodism 
throughout the world. (Wesley's Works, Vol. V, 
p. 194.) 

With an improved acquaintance with each other, 
and a better understanding of and a stronger attach- 
ment to the doctrines and discipline in which they 
were so happily agreed, they were now prepared to 
instruct and regulate the societies as they had never 
been before; and, as the result of these deliberations, 
the work of God advanced with greater uniformity, 
and the different societies became molded and fash- 
ioned after the same image, as was necessary to 
consolidate them into one grand confederacy. 

This beginning of Cojiferences lies at the founda- 
tion of that series of annual meetings of the preach- 
ers which has been extended to the present day. 
The second Conference commenced August i, 1745, 
and consisted of ten persons, convened, as before, by 
Mr. Wesley's invitation. Some years after, he gave 
a general permission to all the preachers to attend, 
but soon retracted it. At these Conferences the 
diaracter of the preachers was examined, points of 
doctrine and discipline reviewed as occasion required, 
complaints considered, and difficulties settled. The 
minutes of the several conversations held formed the 
Discipline of the societies. The last revision of them 
by Mr. Wesley Avas made in 1789. 

These Conferences were entirely under his con- 
trol so long as he lived. He decided every question, 
received, dismissed, and appointed the preachers as 
he judged best. In an explanatory letter, written 
by him in 1780, he says: ''You have a wrong idea 



94 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



of a Conference. For above six years after my re- 
turn to England there was no such thing. I then 
desired some of our preachers to meet me in order 
to advise, not contjvl me ; and you may observe they 
had 710 poiver at all but what I exercised through 
them. I chose to exercise the power which God 
had given me in this manner, both to avoid ostenta- 
tion and gently to habituate the people to obey tJiem 
when I should be taken from their head; but, as 
long as I remain with them, the fundamental rule of 
Methodism remains inviolate." (Wesley's Works, 
Vol. VII, p. 228.) 

The Conferences continued to be held annually 
after his death, on a plan wisely constructed by him- 
self They have also been adopted by all branches 
of the Methodist family, modified to suit the parties 
controlling them, as we shall see hereafter. 

Wesley's appeal to the established clergy. 

Arrangements now being more fully settled, and 
the preachers assigned to particular fields of labor 
for a time, Mr. Wesley took occasion to reason with 
the established clergy, to whose ignorance and preju- 
dice he attributed most of the persecutions the soci- 
eties had suffered ; and, wishing to do it in a manner 
the least offensive, he drew up a short "state of the 
case" between them and the Methodists, and sent it 
to a personal friend, to be used as he should see fit. 
This document so clearly indicates the principles, 
character, and condition of the societies at that time, 
we can not deny our young friends the privilege of 
reading it in this connection. Who will say that 
its demands are unreasonable? It reads as follows: 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 



95 



"About seven years since, we began preaching inward 
present salvation as attainable by faith alone. For preaching 
this doctrine we were forbidden to preach in most churches. 
We then preached in private houses, and, when the houses 
could not contain the people, in the open air. For this many 
of the clergy preached or printed against us as both heretics 
and schismatics. Persons who were convinced of sin begged 
us to advise them more particularly how to flee from the wrath 
to come. We desired them, being many, to come at one time, 
and we would endeavor it. For this we were represented, 
both from the pulpit and the press, as introducing Popery and 
raising sedition. Yea, all manner of evil was said, both of us 
and of those who used to assemble with us. Finding that 
some of these did walk disorderly, we desired them not to 
come to us any more; and some of the others we desired to 
overlook the rest, that w^e might know whether they walked 
worthy of the Gospel. Several of the clergy now stirred up 
the people to treat us as outlaws or mad-dogs. The people did 
so, both in Staffordshire, Cornwall, and many other places; 
and they do so still, wherever they are not restrained by fear 
of the magistrates. 

"Now, what can lue do, or what can you or our brethren 
do, toward healing this breach ? Desire of us any thing which 
we can do with a safe conscience, and we will do it immedi- 
ately. Will you meet us here ? Will you do what we desire of 
you, so far as you can with a safe conscience? 

"I. Do you desire us to preach another, or to desist from 
preaching this doctrine? We can not do this with a safe con- 
science. 

"2. Do you desire us to desist from preaching in private 
houses or in the open air? As things are now circumstanced, 
this would be the same as desiring us not to preach at all. 

"3. Do you desire us not to advise those who m£.et to- 
gether for that purpose — to dissolve our societies? We can not 
do this with a safe conscience, for we apprehend many souls 
would be lost thereby. 

"4. Do you desire us to advise them one by one? This 
is impossible, because of their number. 

"5, Do you desire us to suffer those who walk disorderly 
still to mix with the rest? Neither can we do this with a safe 
conscience, for ' evil comnmnicaiio7is corrupt good manners.^ 



96 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



"6. Do you desire us to discharge those leaders, as Ave 
term them, who overlook the rest? This is, in effect, to suffer 
the disorderly walkers still to remain with the rest. 

"Do you desire us, lastly, to behave with tenderness both 
to the characters and persons of our brethren the clergy? By 
the grace of God we can and will do this, as, indeed, we have 
done to this day. 

"If you ask what we desire of you to do, we answer: 

" I. We do not desire any of you to let us jDreach in your 
church, either if you believe us to preach false doctrine, or if 
you have the least scruple; but we desire any who believes us 
to preach true doctrine, and has no scruple in the matter, not 
to be either publicly or privately discouraged from inviting us 
to preach in his church. 

"2. We do not desire that any who thinks it his duty to 
preach or print against us should refrain therefrom; but we de- 
sire that none will do this till he has calmly considered both 
sides of the question, and that he would not condemn us un- 
heard, but first read what we say in our own defense. 

"3. We do not desire any favor if either Popery, sedition, 
or immorality be proved against us: but we desire you would 
not credit without proof any of those senseless tales that pass 
current with the vulgar; that, if you do not credit them your- 
selves, you will not relate them to others — yea, that you will 
discountenance those who still retail them abroad. 

"4. We do not desire any preferment, favor, or recom- 
mendation from those that are in power, either in Church or 
State: but we desire, i. That if any thing material be laid to 
our charge, we may be permitted to answer for ourselves; 
2. That you would hinder your dependents from stirring up 
the rabble against us, who are certainly not the proper judges 
in these matters; and, 3. That you would effectually suppress 
and discountenance all riots and popular insurrections, which 
evidently strike at the foundation of all government, whether 
of Church or State." 

THE PROPER STATUS OF METHODISM. 

While thus reasoning with the clergy, and other 
opposers of his movements, he was not unmindful of 
the conduct of his friends. His advice to them was 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 



97 



equally pertinent and instructive. Nothing could 
more clearly certify the high moral purity of his pur- 
pose or the wisdom of his plan. The following is 
sufficient to indicate the view he took of the enter- 
prise in which he was engaged: 

" The FIRST general advice which one who loves your 
souls would earnestly recommend to every one of you is, Con- 
sider, with deep and frequent attention, the peculiar circum- 
stances wherein you stand. One of these is, that you are a 
new people. Your name is new (at least as used in a relig- 
ious sense), not heard of, till a few years ago, either in our 
own or any other nation. Your principles are new, in this 
respect, that there is no other set of people among us (and pos- 
sibly not in the Christian world) who hold them all in the same 
degree and connection ; who so strenuously and continually in- 
sist on the absolute necessity of universal holiness both in heart 
and life; of a peaceful, joyous love of God; of a supernatural 
evidence of things not seen ; of an inward witness that we are 
the children of God ; and of the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, 
in order to any good thought, or word, or work. And perhaps 
there is no other set of people (at least not visibly united to- 
gether) who lay so much, and yet no more, stress than you do 
on rectitude of opinions, on outward modes of worship, and 
the use of those ordinances which you acknowledge to be of 
God ; and yet do not condemn any man upon earth merely for 
thinking otherwise than you do — much less to imagine that God 
condemns him for this, if he be upright and sincere of heart. 

" Your strictness of life, taking the whole of it together, 
may likewise be accounted new. I mean, your making it a 
rule to abstain from fashionable diversions ; your plainness of 
dress ; your manner of dealing in trade ; your exactness in ob- 
serving the Lord's day; your scrupulosity as to things that have 
not paid custom ; your total abstinence from spirituous liquors 
(unless in cases of extreme necessity) ; your rule ' not to men- 
tion the fault of an absent person, in particular of ministers, or 
of those in authority,' may justly be termed new. For we do not 
find any body of people who insist on all these rules together, 

" Consider these peculiar circumstances wherein you stand, 
and you will see the propriety of a second advice I would 

9 



98 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

recommend to you: Do not imagine you can avoid giving 
offense. Your very 7iai]ie renders this impossible. And as much 
offense as you give by your name, you will give still more by 
your principles. You will give offense to the bigots for opin- 
ions, modes of worship, and ordinances, by laying no more 
stress upon them; to the bigots against them, by laying so 
much ; to men of form, by insisting so frequently and strongly 
on the inward power of religion; to moral men (so called), by 
declaring the absolute necessity of faith, in order to acceptance 
with God; to men of reason you will give offense, by talking 
of inspiration and receiving the Holy Ghost; to drunkards. 
Sabbath breakers, common swearers, and other open sinners, 
by refraining from their company, as well as by that disappro- 
bation of their behavior which you will be often obliged to ex- 
press. Either, therefore, you must consent to give up your 
principles or your fond hope of pleasing men. What makes 
even your principles more offensive is, this uniting of your- 
selves together ; union renders you more conspicuous, placing 
you more in the eye of men ; and more dreadful to those of a 
fearful temper ; and more odious to men of zeal, if their zeal 
be any other than fervent love to God and man." 

During the year 1746 Mr. Wesley traversed the 
most distant parts of the kingdom, and revivals pre- 
vailed in many places. He usually preached two or 
three times every day, and regulated the societies 
wherever he came. His whole heart was in the 
work, and his fixed resolution surmounted every 
difficulty. 

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PREACHERS. 

"At this period, the preachers were not skilled 
beyond the first principles of religion, and the prac- 
tical consequences deducible from them: 'repentance 
toward God, faith tozvajrl our Lord Jesus Christ, ' and 
the fruits that follow, ' rigJiteousness and peace and joy 
in the Holy Ghost.' These were the subjects of their 
daily discourses, and these truths they knew in power. 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 



99 



But such was the low state of reHgious knowledge 
among the people that it was absolutely necessary 
to enforce these first principles, and to give them a 
practical influence on the heart and life, before they 
were led any farther. In these circumstances, the 
limited knowledge of the preachers was so far from 
being an inconvenience, that it was an mispeakable 
advantage, as it necessarily confined them to those 
fundamental points of experimental and practical relig- 
ion which were best adapted to the state of the people. 
Ministers of diversified knowledge, but of little ex- 
perience in the work of the Spirit of God, seldom 
dwell sufficiently in their sermons on these important 
points ; and hence the preachers were far more suc- 
cessful in awakening sinners to a sense of their dan- 
gerous state, and in bringing them to a saving knowl- 
edge of Christ. To enforce the necessity of 7'epentance, 
and of seeking salvation by grace alone through a 
Redeemer, the preacher would often draw a picture 
of human nature in such strong and natural colors 
that every one who heard him saw his own likeness 
in it, and was ready to say, 'He hath shown me all 
that was in my heart!' The effect was surprising. 
The people found themselves, under every discourse, 
emerging out of the thickest darkness into a region 
of light, the blaze of which, being suddenly poured 
in upon them, gave exquisite pain at first, but soon 
showed them the way to peace and consolation." 

PLANS FOR THE RIGHT KINDS OF BOOKS. 

''Mr. Wesley foresaw that as knowledge was in- 
creased among the people it ought to be increased 
in the same, or even in a greater, proportion among 



100 



HIST OR Y OF METHODISM. 



the preachers, otherwise they would become less 
useful. He, therefore, began to think of a collection 
of such books in the English language as might for- 
ward their improvement in treating of the various 
branches of practical divinity." (Moore's Life of 
Wesley.) 

This foresight, for which Mr. Wesley was so pe- 
culiar, led him to consultation, particularly with Dr. 
Doddridge, in regard to the selection of a library. 
The Doctor treated the subject with great courtesy, 
and furnished the list of books desired, notwithstand- 
ing the printer Avas driving him hard for copy to 
complete the third volume of his "Family Exposi- 
tor." It was about this time that it was inserted in 
the Minutes, for the benefit of the ministry: "Read 
the most iisefnl books, and that regularly and con- 
stantly. Steadily spend all the morning in this 
employ, or, at least, five hours in the four-and- 
twenty. 

"'But I read only the Bible.' Then you ought 
to teach others to read only the Bible, and, by 
parity of reason, to hear only the Bible. But if so, 
you need preach no more. Just so said George 
Bell. And what is the fruit ? Why, now he neither 
reads the Bible nor any thing else. This is rank en- 
thusiasm. If you need no book but the Bible, you 
are got above St. Paul. He wanted others too. 
'Bring the books,' says he, 'but especially the 
parchments,' — those wrote on parchment. 'But I 
have no taste for reading.' Contract a taste for it 
by use, or return to your trade. 

"'But I Jiave no books.' I will give each of 
you, as fast as you will read them, books to the 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 



lOI 



value of five pounds. And I desire that the assist- 
ants would take care that all the large societies pro- 
vide our works, or, at least, the notes, for the use 
of the preachers." 

THE KINGSWOOD SCHOOL ESTABLISHED. 

It was at this period, also, that Mr. Wesley orig- 
inated the Kingswood School for the complete edu- 
cation of the young, where their morals would be 
secure. He had succeeded in the establishment of 
one for the children of the colliers, several years be- 
fore, and was now looking to the interests of others 
in higher life. This school has done immense good, 
and, for many years, has been wholly devoted to 
the sons of the itinerant preachers. 

How he obtained the means of carrying forward 
so many interests involving expense is partly ex- 
plained by the following fact in connection with the 
establishment of this school. "He was mentioning 
to a lady, with whom he was in company in the 
neighborhood of Bristol, his desire and design of 
erecting a Christian school, such as would not dis- 
grace the apostolic age. The lady was so well 
pleased with his views that she immediately went to 
her scrutoire and brought him five hundred pounds 
in bank-notes, desiring him to accept of them, and 
to enter upon his plan immediately. He did so. 
Afterward, being in company with the same lady, 
she inquired how the building went on, and whether 
he stood in need of farther assistance. He informed 
her that he had laid out all the money he had re- 
ceived, and that he Avas three hundred pounds in 
debt; at the same time apologizing, and entreating 



102 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



her not to consider it as a concern of hers. But she 
immediately retired, and brought him the sum he 
wanted. " 

What his unparalleled plan of finance did not se- 
cure in small sums among the poor, the Providence 
of God supplied in this way. But that plan ! Who 
has fully estimated it? The rules for the govern- 
ment of its operators, the stewards, show that it was 
sanctified by prayer, like every other part of his sys- 
tem. He earned and begged money only for God 
and his cause, and he would have the business 
transacted in the spirit of vital piety, as much as 
preaching, or any other religious duty. Hence, he 
drafted and gave to his stewards the following 
excellent rules : 

CHARACTERS AND DUTY OF STEWARDS. 

"I; You are to be men full of the Holy Ghost 
and of wisdom, that you may do all things in a 
manner acceptable to God. 2. You are to be pres- 
ent every Tuesday and Thursday morning, in order 
to transact the temporal affairs of the society. 3. 
You are to begin and end every meeting with ear- 
nest prayer to God for a blessing on all your under- 
takings. 4. You are to produce your accounts the 
first Tuesday in every month, that they may be 
transcribed into the ledger. 5. You are to take it in 
turn, month by month, to be chairman. The chair- 
man is to see that all the rules be punctually ob- 
served, and immediately to check him who breaks 
any of them. 6. You are to do nothing without the 
consent of the minister, either actually had or rea- 
sonably presumed. 7. You are to consider, when- 



FJiOGRESS OF THE WORJ^. 



103 



ever you meet, ' God is here. ' Therefore, be serious. 
Utter no trifling word. Speak as in his presence, 
and to the glory of his great name. 8. When any 
thing is debated, let one at once stand up and speak, 
the rest giving attention. And let him speak just 
loud enough to be heard, in love and in the spirit of 
meekness. 9. You are continually to pray and en- 
deavor that a holy harmony of soul may in all things 
subsist among you ; that in every step you may keep 
the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. 10. In 
all debates you are to watch over your spirits, avoid- 
ing, as fire, all clamor and contention; being ' sivift 
to hear, sloiv to speak;' in honor, every man preferring 
another before himself. 11. If you can not relieve, 
do not grieve the poor. Give them soft words, if 
nothing else. Abstain from either sour looks or 
harsh words. Let them be glad to come, even 
though they should go empty away. Put yourselves 
in the place of every poor man; and deal with him 
as you would God should deal with you." 

METHODISM INTRODUCED TO IRELAND. 

Ireland is the only country on which the Reforma- 
tion under Luther had no good influence. Its rigid 
tenacity for Romanism had prevented its affiliation 
with other parts of the empire, and it had long been 
a question among Protestants how it could be reached. 
Various schemes had been suggested, but nothing 
done. Wesley and his coadjutors regarding the 
world as their parish, and all things possible to him 
that believeth, laid no plans; but early in 1747, 
Thomas Williams crossed the channel, and began to 
preach the new doctrine in Dublin, and immediately 



104 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



attracted attention, and won sinners to Christ. Hear- 
ing of his success, 'Mr. Wesley was soon by his side, 
and formed a society of nearly three hundred mem- 
bers, which grew to be the largest in the United 
Kingdom, except one in London; but returned after 
a few weeks, and was followed by his brother and 
others, from whom Ireland received the word of life. 
The itinerants were now moving in all directions, 
toiling hard, and suffering every inconvenience imag- 
inable but that of a guilty conscience and the frown 
of God. Mr. Charles Wesley, writing to his brother 
from Dublin about buying a preaching house, that 
would also accommodate the preachers, says: "I 
must go there or to some other lodgings, or take 
my flight; for here I can stay no longer. A family 
of squalling children, a landlady just ready to lie in, 
a maid who has no time to do the least thing for us, 
are some of our conveniences! Our two rooms for 
four people (six, when J. Healy and Haughton 
come) allow no opportunity for retirement. Charles 
and I groan for elbow-room in our press-bed; our 
diet answerable to our lodgings ; no one to mend our 
clothes and stockings; no money to buy more. I 
marvel that we have stood our ground so long in 
these lamentable circumstances." 

These inconveniences, accompanied by the most 
bitter persecution that Popery and carnality could 
devise, were enough to discourage ordinary minds; 
but these men were prepared for the emergency. To 
the personal enjoyment of true piety was added un- 
paralleled success. Though ridiculed, and e\'en 
mobbed in almost every place, souls were awakened 
and converted in great numbers, and new societies 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 



105 



sprung up in various places, not for the good of 
that priest-cursed country only, but for America and 
the world. God saw the Irish were to be scattered 
abroad by the force of circumstances, and he took 
this method to prepare them to be the bearers of 
vital religion to all lands whither they might go, as 
they have been. No country of its population has 
done more to diffuse Methodism, by personal repre- 
sentatives, than Ireland. Yet in no country was 
young Methodism more brutally persecuted. Cork 
distinguished itself by refusing to indict the rioters, 
but did indict Charles Wesley "as a person of ill- 
fame, a vagabond, and a common disturber of His 
Majesty's peace," Still, Mr. Wesley insisted to the 
last that "the Irish were the politest people that he 
ever met." 

RELATION OF METHODISTS TO THE CHURCH. 

Besides the difficulties which arose from poverty, 
unpopularity, mobs, etc., Mr. Wesley had others to 
surmount in carrying out his design, and what he 
understood to be the purpose of God, that must not 
be overlooked. He had no thought of leaving the 
•Established Church, and did not leave it till he was 
removed to the Church triumphant. The societies 
he formed were parts of the ClntrcJi, and aimed not 
at separation, but greater improvement in the knowl- 
edge and love of God. This circumstance exposed 
him to two classes of complainers, which made him 
much trouble; namely, those who thought he went 
too far; that having got the people converted, he 
ought to leave them to the watch-care of their legal 
pastors, particularly where they were truly pious, 



io6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and not organize them into societies; and, on the 
other hand, those who claimed that he did not go 
far enough — that he ought to secede, and form an 
independent Church. 

The arguments of both parties bore an aspect of 
plausibihty, to say the least; but they were manfully 
answered. His reason for not leaving his followers 
to the regular clergy was, generally, that it would 
prove fatal to their piety. Most of the clergy would 
treat them with derision, while the better disposed, 
and even the most pious among them, were incom- 
petent to train up spiritual children, with whom they 
never ''travailed in birth." His reason for not form- 
ing an independency was, not that none could be 
saved out of the Church, but that he could better 
spread Scriptural holiness over the land by remaining 
in it, than by seceding, which was probably true at 
that time. Hence, he resisted every solicitation to 
closer adherence to the Church, and a greater de- 
parture from it, and drew near or receded, as his ob- 
ject seemed to require. 

DIFFICULTY WITH MR. MAXFIELD AND ENTHUSIASM. 

But some of the most serious obstacles Methodism 
had to overcome were produced by her own mem- 
bers. We have referred to Mr. Maxfield as the first 
lay preacher that appeared in the Wesleyan ranks, a 
young man of talent and usefulness. He was or- 
dained by Bishop Barnard, on the recommendation 
of Mr. Wesley; the bishop saying, at the time, "Sir, I 
ordain you to assist that good man, that he may not 
work himself to death." 

Mr. Maxfield met the bishop's design admira- 



PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 10/ 

bly for a while, but afterward fell out by the way. It 
is all the same with the enemies of religion, whether 
its friends betray the cause by inactivity or enthu- 
siasm ; and often, when the devil fails in producing 
the first, he will succeed in the last. This seems to 
have been the case in London, where Mr. Maxfield 
vv^as preaching. A revival was in powerful progress, 
notwithstanding much resistance, when some became 
wise above what is written, and dreams, visions and 
revelatiojis took possession of several minds, and were 
regarded of paramount authority. Mr. Maxfield en- 
couraged the delusion, which made it necessary to 
guard against his influence, and induced Mr. Wesley 
to write him quickly all that was in his heart. 

But it had no good effect Mr. Maxfield was too far 
gone to be recovered. He was at the bottom of the 
mischief, the very life of the cause, and stirred up the 
people against Mr. Wesley and the other preachers, 
as too cold and blind to teach them the deep things 
of the Spirit. At length the crisis came, and a con- 
siderable number of the society left, Mr. Maxheld 
among the rest. "And from that time," says Mr. 
Wesley, "he has spake all manner of evil of me, 
his father, his friend, his greatest earthly benefactor." 
Pvlr. Maxfield lived about twenty years after his sep- 
aration ; and Mr. Bell another prominent character in 
the drama, lived much longer, but made no preten- 
sions to religion. When the last of F'ebruary (the 
time for the world to come to an end, according to 
his prediction) arrived, and all things remained as they 
were, his spirit felt the rebuke, and veered to the op- 
posite pole, where it sank into the icy depths of in- 
fidel indifference. 



io8 



HI ST OR Y OF METHODISM. 



But the work of God still went on in London ; 
and, though seventy-five persons left the society, sev- 
eral hundreds remained who were more united than 
ever. But the predicton that the world was coming 
to an end on the 28th of February created a great 
panic; and, taken in connection with the other errors 
of the separatists, and the transactions to which they 
gave birth, it was sadly injurious to the cause of 
religion. 

These disturbances originated in dreams and vis- 
ions, falsely assumed to be from God, which ]\Ir. 
Maxfield encouraged. Imiagining themselves to have 
direct communication from heaven on all matters, 
irrespective of the Bible, and that their brethren who 
did not indorse their operations were in sin, they be- 
came proud, censorious, and denunciatory. When 
Mr. Wesley tenderly remonstrated with them, one 
cried out, "We will not be browbeaten any longer." 
A few days after, she carried her own and her hus- 
band's tickets to Mr. Wesley, saying, "Sir, we will 
have no more to do with you; we will keep to Mr. 
Maxfield." Mr. Bell soon after left with others, say- 
ing, "Blind John is not capable of teaching us." 

This was the beginning of a great deal of the 
kind that has since occurred in Methodist societies 
all over the world. It is one of the dangers incident 
to a high degree of religious zeal; and some have 
been so disgusted with it, that they have been afraid 
to have our people get happy in God for fear they 
would explode, and make trouble. But this will 
not do. We must surround them v. ith all possible 
safeguards, and go forward. There is no danger of a 
cold locomotive running off the track. If we do n't 



PjR OGRESS OF THE WORIC. 



109 



fire it up, it will not run at all. So dead Christians 
seldom fall into Maxfield's errors, but they are en- 
thusiasts after all, in expecting the end without using 
the means. 

A FURTHER NOTE OF MR. WHITEFIELD. 

Mr. Whitefield preached Calvinism with all his 
might, and, for a while, lost caste with the societies, 
but Calvinists of all classes rallied to hear him; 
and erected him a tabernacle near Wesley's Foundery. 
Though he had opposed lay preachers before, he now 
received and encouraged them. Mr. Cennick, Howell 
Harris, and others left Wesley and went over to him. 
Many of the aristocracy gave him their hearty in- 
dorsement, particularly Lady Huntingdon, by whose 
liberality and influence churches were erected faster 
than ministers could be found to occupy them. 
This was the origin of the "Lady Huntingdon Con- 
nection." It was not intended to be a dissenting body, 
but the good lady was obliged to take advantage of 
the "Act of Toleration," to maintain the control of 
her chapels, on which account, Romaine and others 
of her clerical sympathizers felt obliged to leave her 
in obedience to their churchly principles. She died 
at the age of eighty-four, saying, "My work is done. 
I have nothing to do but to go to my Father," leav- 
ing twenty thousand dollars to charitable objects, 
and the balance of her estate to the support of the 
sixty-four chapels which had been erected by her in- 
fluence. Since that time the "Connection" bearing 
her name has made but a sorry show of progress, 
reminding us again, that the "race is not always to 
the swift, nor the battle to the strong." When 



no 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Wliiteneld turned aside to Calvinism, and drew around 
him admiring crowds of rich and noble friends, poor 
Mr. Wesley was sad to find himself left to plod along 
without money or popular influence. But now, while 
there are few traces of the former outside of his 
biographies, the magnificent system and spirit of 
the latter are still inarcJiing along'' to consummate 
his grand purpose — the conversion of the world to 
Christ. 

But still Mr. Whitefield did a good work which 
inured to the benefit of Scotch Presbyterians, the 
English and other European Churches, and religion 
generally in America. History records the name of 
no other man who equaled him in pulpit influence. 
And he was no less good than powerful. Notwith- 
standing the break between him and the Wesleys, to 
which we have referred, they loved as brethren, 
and co-operated in beautiful harmony, exchanging 
pulpits and preaching together in the most friendly 
manner. Nor could he be drawn into any very close 
sectarian alliance. The Scotch made special efforts 
to bind him to their "Solemn League and Covenant;" 
but it was an utter failure, wdiereupon they appointed 
a day of fasting, to pray against him. The rabble 
were equally unsuccessful. He could control tens 
of thousands of them on their own grounds, and 
compel them to hear him. Though he was no organ- 
izer he did a mighty work for Methodism, notwith- 
standing he discarded its Arminian doctrines. 



CHANGES. 



Ill 



CHAPTER VI. 



REMARKABLE CIRCUMSTANCES WESLEY'S VIEWS CHANG- 
ING EXHORTERS PROVIDED FOR LEANINGS TOWARD 

INDEPENDENCY MISCELLANEOUS MODIFICATIONS AND 

CALVINISTIC CONTROVERSY. 

'nr^HE plan of procedure having become more 



-i- fully settled, the work of God went on much 
as already described, triumphing generally. It was 
resisted, however, at every point and by all possible 
means, affording the Master plenty of opportunities 
to manifest his power in a most convincing manner. 
Such manifestations are always necessary in spirit- 
ual reforms. The tranquillity of the preachers when 
stoned, kicked, and dragged through the streets by 
mobs was one of the most remarkable circumstances 
of the times. They seem to have been kept in ''per- 
fect peace." They maintained the same composed 
state of mind under other providential alarms. One 
morning, in 1750, when Charles Wesley arose in the 
Foundery to preach, an earthquake occurred, shak- 
ing all London, and terrifying the people beyond 
description; but, as by inspiration, he cried aloud to 
his frightened hearers, "Therefore will we not fear, 
though the earth be moved and the hills be carried 
into the midst of the sea; for the Lord of hosts is 
with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge." Speaking 
of the matter afterward, he said his "heart was filled 




112 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



with faith and his mouth with words, shaking their 
souls as well as their bodies;" and during the night 
following, while many, alarmed, came to the Foun- 
dery begging for admittance, "our poor people," he 
says, "were calm and quiet as at any other time," 
thus demonstrating that God was with them. 

The singular manner in which the enemies of the 
cause were sometimes arrested was equally impressive. 

A CASE IN POINT. 

John Thorp, of Yorkshire, was a tippler, and one 
of a gang who undertook to suppress the work by 
burlesque and mimicry. On one bacchanalian occa- 
sion three of the number had tried their hand at it, 
when John sprang to the table, inspired with ale, 
declaring that he would "beat all of them by taking 
off Whitefield. " Opening the Testament at random, 
he read, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise 
perish." The text struck his own heart like a bolt 
from heaven, but he spoke, to the astonishment of 
all who heard him. He said, after he became one 
of Wesley's preachers, that some of his sentences 
made his own hair stand erect, and that "if he ever 
preached in his life by the assistance of the spirit of 
God, it v/as at that time." Having ended his dis- 
course, he left the room and his companions without 
a word, and after a long and hard struggle found 
peace in believing, and became a very holy and use- 
ful minister. 

MR. Wesley's views changing. 

The reader must have been amazed, in tracing 
the foregoing pages, at the tenacity with which Mr. 



CHANGES, 



113 



Wesley clung to the Church. Excluded from its 
pulpits, denounced by many of its bishops and other 
clergy, mobbed by their approval and instigation 
even, and often shocked by their wickedness, it was 
reasonable to believe that he would become alien- 
ated ; but he seems to have held on to the last, and 
it was wise, perhaps, that he did so. Reformers 
have often defeated their own objects by taking the 
opposite course. Many have lost their cause and 
their lives by leaving what seemed to them to be a 
sinking ship, while those who remained on board 
saved both. 

We have seen how much books had to do with 
his early experience. Needing improvement in an- 
other direction, Lord King's "Account of the Primi- 
tive Church" comes to his aid and makes a powerful 
impression. '*In spite of the vehement prejudice of 
my education," he says, "I was ready to believe 
that this was a fair and impartial draft; but, if so, it 
would follow that bishops and presbyters are (essen- 
tially) of one order, and that originally every Chris- 
tian congregation was a Church independent of all 
others." This exploded his notions of apostolic suc- 
cession, and left him free to follow Providence in 
providing for his multiplying followers, though he 
had no intention at the time of organizing a new 
sect. According to this doctrine, there was no fur- 
ther necessity for his going to the bishops for ordina- 
tion or any thing else; nor, indeed, was ordination 
from any source necessary to a Gospel ministry, 
however convenient and appropriate it might be as a 
public and formal consecration of a minister to his 
work. The main point with him now was the call 

10 



114 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



of God. Having this, a man was divinely authorized, 
irrespective of bishops or conventions, to go fonvard. 
These views prepared him for important measures 
which he did not then anticipate. 

With this start in the right direction, he was 
prepared to say, two years after, that *'a national 
Church is a political institution," and that the three 
orders, bishop, priest, and deacon, are not enjoined 
by the Scriptures; that conformity in Church gov- 
ernment was not taught by the inspired writers, and 
many other kindred sentiments in opposition to his 
former convictions. 

THE CALL TO PREACH HOW TESTED. 

The third Conference, held at Bristol May 12, 
1746, brought up the subject of a call to preach, 
which was agitating the minds of many young men 
no less than that of Mr. Wesley. To the question, 
*'How shall we try those who think they are moved 
by the Holy Ghost and are called to preach?" the 
following tests were given: " i. Do they know God 
as a pardoning God? Have they the love of God 
abiding in them? Do they desire and seek nothing 
but God? and are they holy in all manner of conver- 
sation? 2. Have they gifts (as well as grace) for 
the work? Have they (in some tolerable degree) 
a clear, sound understanding? Have they a right 
judgment in the things of God? Have they a just 
conception of salvation by faith? and has God given 
them any degree of utterance? Do they speak 
justly, readily, clearly? 3. Have they fruit? Are 
any truly convinced of sin and converted to God by 
their preaching? As long as these three marks con- 



CHANGES. 



cur in any, we believe that he is called of God to 
preach. These we receive as a sufficient proof that 
he is moved thereto by the Holy Ghost." 

This is one of the boldest and grandest planks in 
the Methodist platform, and has stood the test of 
criticism to the present day. (See Discipline, par. 
138-142.) And there never has been a moment 
when it was more important to be strictly observed 
in our administration than now. No formulas or lit- 
erary acquirements can supersede it. It is funda- 
mental to the perpetuity of Methodism in the world 
as a spiritual pozver. If a man possesses these quali- 
fications, he is called of God to preach, irrespective 
of his birth, education, nationality, or color. If he 
is without them, he is not called, though he may 
have every other imaginable endowment. We may 
as safely let the doctrines of the trinity or the new 
birth drop out of our creed as to overlook this in 
our administration; and now that education and 
ministerial salaries and conveniences are increasing 
among us, there is vastly more danger of our fal- 
tering at this point than in relation to any other. 
"Fruit" was originally an indispensable proof of 
this call. May it continue to be so forever! 

EXHORTERS PROVIDED FOR. 

This Conference too, provided for another class of 
workers, which still holds an honorable position in 
the ranks of Methodism ; we refer to exhorters. The 
object of them was to keep down a certain class of 
excitable and ignorant persons, of little capacity, 
and bring out all who might be useful in public 
exhortation and prayer. Hence, it was ordained that 



Ii6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



none should be allowed to exercise in this way, with- 
out a note of authority or license from the preacher, 
to be renewed annually. Under this arrangement, 
persons of marked adaptation to the work, appearing 
in the classes and love-feasts, were made exhorters, 
and, filling this office well, were graduated to the 
local ministry; and from that, if suitable, to the itin- 
erant work. To say nothing of it as a suppressing 
measure, it is admirably adapted to develop men for 
the higher activities of the ministry; and we think 
this license should be often given, w^here we now 
give a license to preach. Trembling beginners will 
generally pass better with a congregation as exhorters 
than as preachers. Let it be announced that "Rev. 
Mr. T. will preach," and it will be a failure, where 
the same service would prove a success, being under- 
stood that "brother T. would lead the meeting." On 
the same principle, high-sounding titles, such as D. 
D., have often depreciated service that would have 
been quite acceptable and useful under less preten- 
tious announcements. They create high expecta- 
tions, which, being disappointed, a respectable effort 
passes for nothing, 

LEANING TOWARD INDEPENDENCY. 

Up to this time Mr. Wesley's hope was to effect 
such a revival in the Church, that the clergy would 
look after his converts, and render any serious devi- 
ation from canonical order unnecessary. He had 
been so fearful of breaking away from the Church, 
that he had held many of his new appliances under 
restraint, having misgivings about his lay preachers, 
and instructing them, at times, not to form any new 



CHANGES, 



117 



societies, etc. But his late discoveries on ecclesias- 
tical questions, and the failure of the clergy to sym- 
pathize with his objects, together with the unprece- 
dented rally of the people to his meetings, forced 
him to more decisive action in several particulars. 
One was, to map out his territory into circuits, and 
place his preachers on them. Another most reason- 
able one was to form societies wherever God should 
bring the people to accept his message. He did 
this because, as he says, under the other policy ''al- 
most all the seed has fallen upon the wayside; there 
is scarce any fruit of it remaining." This was done 
at the fifth conference, in 1748, when the preachers 
were urged to more brotherly fraternity among them- 
selves. In 1749 he took another step toward con- 
solidation, in appointing one of his helpers in each 
circuit to take charge of all the societies, giving him 
the name of "assistant." The same conference pro- 
vided for holding " quarterly "-meetings, while love- 
feasts and watch-nights were to be held monthly. 
The assistant was required, too, to supply every 
society with books and tracts, and report and pay 
over the money received for them at the quarterly- 
meetings. This was the organic commencement of 
the Methodist book business, which went forth into 
all lands with the ministry, and as a part of minis- 
terial work. Here, too, was the ' systematic com- 
mencement of tract distribution as a means of salva- 
tion, which has since grown to mammoth proportions. 

Taking all these things together, Methodism began 
to look a good deal like a Church, having a creed, dis- 
cipline, societies, conferences, a generally recognized 
leader, assistants, helpers, etc.; but still Mr. Wesley 



ii8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



disclaimed every thing of the sort, calHng his meet- 
ing-houses ''chapels,'' and his assembHes ''societies.'' 
Nevertheless, the Church was there, and the gates of 
hell have never been able to prevail against it. 

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS. 

With these common-sense arrangements, Mr. Wes- 
ley and his associates proceeded to cultivate their old 
fields and open new ones as they were able. They 
encountered much opposition, but mobs were less 
frequent and violent than formerly, particularly with 
the leaders. He went to Scotland, but found it less 
impressible than any other country he visited. Cal- 
vinism was the prevailing sentiment of the State 
Church, and to defend that was the highest type of 
piety. Debate was the order of the day generally. 
In 1756 Charles Wesley retired from the itinerancy, 
and confined his labors chiefly to London and Bris- 
tol. In reviewing the work, Mr. Wesley remarks : 
"I preached on these words: 'He hath not dealt so 
with any nation, ' no, not even with Scotland nor New 
England. In both these, God has indeed made bare 
his arm, yet not in so astonishing a manner as among 
us," in the following particulars: i. The number re- 
formed. 2. The swiftness of the work, in sudden con- 
versions. 3. The depth of it, changing the heart and 
life. 4. In its clearness, giving assurance of God's love. 
5. In its continuation — the work in Scotland and New 
England lasting but a few weeks, while this had con- 
tinued eighteen years; besides, those works had been 
aided by many of the most eminent ministers, where- 
as in this ''only two or three inconsiderable clergy- 
men, with a few young, unlettered men," had been 



CHANGES. 



119 



engaged, and these ''had been opposed by nearly all 
the clergy and laity of the nation." 

Mr. Wesley traversed Ireland several times, with 
good success. In 1752 he made another trip, and 
became acquainted with a young man by the name 
of Embury, of German origin, who was afterward 
licensed to preach, and had the honor of preaching 
the first Methodist sermon and forming the first 
class in America, as will appear hereafter. In some 
parts the work was powerful, and raised communi- 
ties from the lowest degradation to the highest moral 
respectability. But his labors and cares at last over- 
came him. Near the close of 1753 he was brought 
low by disease, and expected the next hour would 
be his last, when he wrote his own modest epitaph, 
as follows: ''Here lieth the body of John Wesley, 
a brand plucked from the burning, who died of con- 
sumption in the fifty-first year of his age, not leaving, 
after his debts are paid, ten pounds behind him." 
But prayer was offered for his recovery, and he was 
spared to carry forward the good work which he had 
so wonderfully begun. 

FIRST MENTION OF SALARIES. 

There having been no arrangements made for the 
support of the preachers beyond their traveling ex- 
penses, which were paid by the stewards, and many 
having been obliged to leave the work to provide 
for their families, the conference of 1752 ordained 
that each preacher should receive twelve pounds (a 
little less than sixty dollars) per annum, provided 
the people pleased to pay it. But even this small 
amount was seldom realized. This action, however, 



I20 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



authorizing it, was the beginning of Methodist legis- 
lation on the subject of ministerial salaries, and 
formed a sort of model for future estimates. About 
sixty dollars was the standard "quarterage" of all 
classes of traveling preachers in this country for 
many years, but was seldom obtained. 

A DANGEROUS POINT SAFELY PASSED. 

The question of ecclesiasticism was ever present, 
and always a disturbing element among the societies. 
As before shown, the Wesleys were scrupulously 
attached to the established Church. John had be- 
come considerably shaken, but Charles was inflexible. 
Some of the lay preachers had no sympathy with 
their views on the subject, and had broken over so 
far as to administer the sacraments, and quite a little 
controversy had commenced, creating serious appre- 
hensions that the conference of 1755 would result in 
an open rupture. Three days were given to the dis- 
cussion, when the lay preachers agreed, for the sake 
of peace, to cease from administering the sacraments, 
and the question of separation was postponed, though 
not settled. While John Wesley resisted separation, 
he confessed that he was unable to answer the argu- 
ments in favor of it ; but iie was afraid the preachers 
and people would leave, not the Church, but "the 
love of God." "I dare not in conscience," he says, 
"spend my time and strength on externals. If, as 
my lady says, all outward establishments are Babel, 
so is this establishment. Let it stand, for me; I 
neither set it up nor pull it down. But let you and 
I build up the city of God. . . . Church or no 
Church, we must attend to the work of saving souls. " 



CHANGES. 



121 



Charles Wesley took offense, and thought he 
would never attend another conference; but he did, 
the very next one; and did good work afterward. 
Dr. Stevens well says of him: ''Methodism owes in- 
estimable obligations to Charles Wesley for the un- 
rivaled Psalmody which he gave it, and for his elo- 
quence, his travels, and his sufferings in its behalf. 
His ecclesiasticism, however, continually retarded its 
development, and had he ultimately prevailed, he 
would have defeated one of the most momentous 
measures in its history — its American organization." 
(His., Vol. I, p. 399.) It is believed by many that 
had Methodism broken loose from the Church at 
that time, it might have been better; but this is 
by no means certain. Wesley's ''twelve reasons" 
for not doing so are worthy of consideration. They 
had a soothing influence, and great harmony prevailed. 

OF MINISTERS, STATISTICS, ETC. 

The twenty-second conference was held in Man- 
chester, August 30, 1765, and assumed the order of 
business and the publication of minutes, embracing 
the names of the preachers and their appointments, 
which has been maintained, with variations, ever 
since. This conference, too, provided for certificates, 
or tickets, securing members recognition in other 
societies; for men and women sitting apart in church; 
for the limitation of love-feasts to an hour and a 
half ; for congregational singing ; family prayer, morn- 
ing and evening ; for the total abstinence of preachers 
from tobacco and drams, etc. ; for clerical super- 
annuation. 

Up to this time there seems to have been no 
II 



122 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



attempt to number the people; but at the next con- 
ference an imperfect beginning was made in this 
direction, showing from many of the circuits about 
one hundred preachers, and more than ten tJioiisand 
members. Collections had been made for some 
years to aid the poorer societies. This year the debt 
on all the chapels amounted to over fifty thousand 
dollars, upon which Mr. Wesley said, "We shall be 
utterly ruined if we go on at this rate," and ordered 
that no building should be commenced until two- 
thirds of the cost of it should be subscribed. Mr. 
Wesley's concluding address originated his memor- 
able instructions on pastoral visiting, instructing the 
children, reading, etc. , which still form a part of our 
excellent Discipline. 

The conference of 1767 w^as distinguished by the 
admission of Francis Asbury on trial, who afterward 
became the hero of American Methodism. Its im- 
proved statistical reports showed a large increase of 
members, amounting to 25,911. The sale of the 
books was urged with more emphasis, and the assist- 
ants were required to give them prudently to the 
poor, and beg the money to pay for them, thus initi- 
ating the policy which has been developed in the 
organization of our Sunday-school and Tract Socie- 
ties. Finding some of the trustees were anxious lest 
the same preachers should be returned to them many 
years in succession, they were allowed to insert a 
clause in their new deeds restricting their continu- 
ance to two years. 

The conference of 1769 reported 28,263 members, 
and instituted a new question; namely, "Who is 
willing to go to America?" in response to a call 



CHANGES. 123 

from New York, where Mr. Embury had struck the 
first blow, and had erected a Httle chapel ; Richard 
Boardman and Joseph Pilmour consented, and were 
appointed. A noble collection of some three hun- 
dred and forty dollars was then taken on the spot, 
nearly one hundred of which went to pay the ex- 
penses of the voyage, and the balance was appropri- 
ated toward the debt resting on the first Methodist 
chapel in the New World. Thus matters went on 
from year to year, continually improving in system, 
numbers, and strength, but not without much labor 
and personal sacrifice. 

MR. WHITEFIELD's DEATFL 

Though this wonderful man differed with Mr. 
Wesley on doctrinal grounds, he still co-operated 
with him in the most fraternal spirit and manner. 
This difference gave him many advantages, especially 
in Scotland and America, and enabled him to achieve 
in those countries what he could not have done as 
an Arminian. Though he was theoretically a Cal- 
vinist, he generally preached as free and full salva- 
tion as any Methodist could desire. He was born 
an orator, converted on fii-e, and the flame increased 
to the morning of his ascension. He flew from 
country to country, crossing the Atlantic tJii7'tee?i 
times, preached eighteen thousand sermons, or ten 
per week during the thirty-four years of his public 
ministry, and addressed more people, probably, than 
any man that ever lived. He left England for the 
last tim.e in September, 1769, and after traversing 
America for a few months, preaching several times a 
week to entranced and weeping throngs, he died 



124 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



s-^ddenly of asthma at Newburyport, September 30, 
1770, just as the sun was rising, and left a name that 
will be as enduring as eternity. 

THE CALVINISTIC CONTROVERSY. 

The next general conflict the societies experienced 
arose from a revival of Antinojnianisin, which was 
eating out the vitals of religion all over the kingdom. 
Though Methodism had excluded none from its fel- 
lowship on account of doctrinal errors, it neverthe- 
less had a theory of its own, which was considered 
important, though not positively indispensable to 
regeneration. But it now became evident enough 
that some of those principles, which had been treated 
with great liberality, were working the death of 
practical piety. This was particularly the case w4th 
that system oF error called Antinomianism, which 
assumes that, as the elect can not fall from grace, 
nor forfeit the divine favor, the wicked actions they 
commit not being really sinful, they have no occa- 
sion either to confess their sins, or to break them 
off by repentance. In the presence of such views, 
Methodism seemed to be the grossest kind of error 
and enthusiasm. If the elect were so bound that 
they could not sin, reprobates could not reform, and 
all attempts to interfere with either could but be at 
variance with the decrees of the Almighty. Under 
such teachings the spirituality of the Church had 
greatly declined, and must necessarily suffer still 
further damage. Mr. Fletcher saw this, and wrote : 

"At this time we stand particularly in danger of 
splitting upon the Antinomian rock. Many smatter- 
ers in Christian experience talk of finished salvation 



CHANGES. 125 

in Christ, or boast of being in a state of justification 
and sanctification, while they know Httle of them- 
selves, and less of Christ. Their whole behavior tes- 
tifies that their heart is void of humble love, and full 
of carnal confidence. They cry 'Lord, Lord!' with as 
much assurance and as little right as the foolish vir- 
gins. They pass for sweet Christians, dear children 
of God, and good believers; but their secret reserves 
evidence them to be only such believers as Simon 
Magus, Ananias, and Sapphira. " 

To prevent this terrible malaria from poisoning 
the young societies, which had now become pretty nu- 
merous, the conference of 1770 called up the subject, 
and reaffirmed certain propositions directly opposed 
to the Antinomian theory. The mimites of this con-* 
ference created great excitement. The Calvinists 
took the alarm, and the Honorable and Reverend 
Walter Shirley wrote a circular letter to all the se- 
rious clergy, and certain laymen, inviting them to 
meet at Bristol on the sixth of the following August, 
the time and place of Mr. Wesley's next conference, 
and go to the conference in a body, and '-'insist 
on a formal recantation of the said minutes, "and in 
case of a refusal, "that they sign and publish their 
protest against them," a most singular interference 
with other people's business, and an assumption of 
right, which indicates more of conceit than humility. 
What gave special influence to the letter, was the 
fact that the proposition originated with Lady Hunt- 
ingdon, an old friend of Mr. Wesley, and of the 
Wesleyan movement. 

Mr. Fletcher, characterized as the "Sainted 
Fletcher," because of his extraordinary piety, on 



126 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



receiving one of these circulars, communicated the con- 
tents to Mr. W esley, proposing to stand by him and 
his doctrine to the last. He also wrote to Mr. Shir- 
ley, entreating him to recall his circulars, and wrote 
such other letters as he thought might be necessary, 
in order to counteract the influence of the plot. 
But all availed nothing. The opposition to the min- 
utes waxed warm, and a long controversy ensued, to 
which we are indebted for Fletcher's four volumes 
of ''Checks to Antinomianism ;" a work which has, 
indeed, agreeably to its talented author's promise, 
stood by Mr. Wesley and his principles "to the last." 
Being written in a charming style, and with a power 
of argument wdiich no sophistry can gainsay; and, 
withal, breathing the very spirit of heaven in every 
line, it has been a bulwark of defense to our the- 
ology, against which all the fiery darts of opponents 
have been hurled in vain. How much we owe, how 
much the truth of God owes, how much the univer- 
sal Church and the world owe to this work, w^, of 
course, have no means of exact information; but in 
our opinion, there is not a work extant which has 
done more, under God, for the honor and perpetuity 
of Christian theology in its purity and power. Under 
its withering glance, error has blushed and fled away, 
or assumed a new aspect, which, in its turn, has been 
rebuked, and retired. Its birth was a glorious era in 
Methodism. We commend the work to the careful 
examination of all who are in any way troubled with 
the Cah'inistic delusion. They will find it a sover- 
eign argument against it as it was, or now is, when it 
is properly understood. And it is equally appro- 
priate to those who would understand the doctrines 



CHANGES. 



127 



of Methodism, and the grounds on which they rest 
for defense. Every preacher, especially, should read 
it carefully. It is an ample remedy for modern 
fatalism, that is creeping into the Church under the 
guise of science ; and is solid gold when compared 
with many modern works which aim to meet the 
emergency. 

Tuesday, August 6th, the conference commenced 
its session, and Mr. Shirley and his friends appeared. 
The conversation that ensued lasted two hours, and 
elicited mutual explanations; but no ''recantation;' 
and the controversy ensued, to which we have re- 
ferred ; Mr. Fletcher managing the Arminian side of 
the question, and Mr. Shirley, Rowland Hill, Augus- 
tus Montague Toplady, Mr. Berridge, and other able 
and distinguished divines, the Calvinistic side; thus 
relieving Mr. Wesley from a task that in other con- 
troversies had devolved upon him, and leaving him 
at liberty to prosecute the great work of which he 
was the acknowledged leader. The debate lasted six 
years, and created much excitement. Many bitter 
words were employed by some of the contestants, 
who deeply regretted them afterward. Toplady alone 
retained his prejudice to the last, and made no re- 
traction ; but all agreed that Mr. Fletcher maintained 
himself with admirable saintliness. Most of his op- 
ponents loved and honored,Jiim. As he entered the 
parsonage of Mr. Berridge twenty years after, Mr. 
Berridge ran and took him in his arms, exclaiming, 
"My dear brother, this is indeed a satisfaction I 
never expected. How could we write against each 
other, when we both aim at the same thing, the glory 
of God and the good of souls?" Some evils attended 



128 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the controversy no doubt; but it revolutionized the 
theology of the nations, and laid the foundation for 
the great revivals of religion that have lifted the 
world to a higher plane of sentiment and practice 
than it ever occupied before. The "Checks" were tri- 
umphant, and still hold the field. They were written 
in the spirit of profound piety, and on the borders of 
eternity. Speaking of a call he made on Mr, Fletcher 
during this discussion, a visitor remarks, "I went to 
see a man with one foot in the grave, but found him 
with one foot in heaven.'' 

One of the most marked evils of the controversy 
occurred in Scotland. Many had been converted 
there and several societies formed. But in the midst 
of the work this question arose. The excellent Mr. 
Hervey, author of the ''Meditations," and an old 
pupil of Mr. Wesley, had formerly been induced to 
write some letters, which being now published and 
scattered among the young believers did much harm.* 
*'0," said one of the preachers then in Scotland, 
''the precious convictions which these letters have 
destroyed ! Many, that have often declared the great 
profit they received under our ministry, were by these 
induced to leave us." "Though the preachers met 
with no mobs in Scotland to oppose their progress, 
they encountered prejudices that were more formida- 
ble." Says Dr. Whitehead: "They found the Scots 
strongly intrenched within the lines of religious opin- 
ions and modes of worship, which almost bade defi- 
ance to any mode of attack." 

These letters were not published till after Mr. Hervey's death, 
and then against his dying prohibition ; to serve two objects, 
namely: the covetousness of one man and the bigotry of another. 



CHANGES. 



129 



A LESSON WORTH REMEMBERING. 

We can not discuss this subject without asking 
special attention to one aspect of it that is Hable to 
be overlooked. History, to effect all its legitimate 
objects, must mark the defects of men and measures 
as well as their excellencies. 

The early patronage of Lady Huntingdon was a 
matter of no small importance to Mr. Wesley and 
his friends. Her wealth and rank gave her a com- 
manding influence. Young Methodism, in its weak- 
ness and unpopularity, needed just that thing to 
encourage and carry it through the difficulties it had 
to encounter. It is not strange, therefore, that the 
pious lady was prized and petted. Then, it was a 
very unusual thing for a woman of her rank to be 
so devout. The ''Holy Club" could but esteem her 
on this account. 

In the fullness of her love for the cause, she 
established a seminary at Trevecka, in Wales, for 
the education of pious young men for the ministry, 
admitting none except such as had been ''converted 
to God and were resolved to dedicate themselves to 
his service." They were allowed to remain three 
^years, and have their board and tuition free, with one 
suit of clothes a 3/ear, and on leaving they might go 
to the established Church or join any other Protest- 
ant Church — a noble charity which could but be 
commended. On this basis Mr. Fletcher accepted 
her invitation to take the charge, and Mr. Benson 
to be head master, and things went on beautifully. 
Mr. Benson gave his whole time to the work, 
and Mr. Fletcher was there often — more than was 



130 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



expected at the outset — breathing his holy influence 
upon the young men, and was universally admired — 
almost worshiped. It was, indeed, a model school, 
that can hardly be too closely imitated by our own 
theological seminaries. But by some means the good 
lady became so thoroughly wedded to the decrees 
that when the minutes of the conference of 1770 
came out, though they set forth no other doctrine 
than had been preached from the beginning of the 
movement, she put her little foot down, and deter- 
mined to purge her school and chapels of all Armin- 
ian teachers and preachers. Accordingly, she sum- 
marily dismissed Mr. Benson, simply because he did 
not believe the doctrine of ''absolute predestination." 
Mr. Fletcher wrote her that he did hold, with Mr. 
Wesley, "the possibility of salvation for all men. 
If this is what you call Mr. Wesley's opinion and 
Armiiiiaiiism, and if every Arminian viust quit the col- 
lege, I am actually discharged; for, in my present 
view of things, I must hold that sentiment if I be- 
lieve that the Bible is true and that God is love. . . 
For my part, I am no party man. In the Lord, I 
am your servant and that of your every student; 
but I can not give up the honor of being counted 
with my old friends, who, notwithstanding their fail- 
ings, are entitled to my respect, gratitude, and affec- 
tion. Mr. Wesley shall always be welcome to my 
pulpit, and I shall gladly bear my testimony in his 
as well as Mr. Whitefield's. If you forbid your stu- 
dents to preach for the one and offer them to preach 
for the other, and if a master is discarded for believ- 
ing that Christ died for all, then prejudice reigns, 
charity is cruelly wounded, and party spirit sJionts, 



CHANGES. 



PREVAILS, TRIUMPHS! ... I am determined 
to stand or fall with the liberty of the college. As 
I entered it a free place, I must quit it the moment 
it is a harbor for party spirit." (Wesley's Works, 
Vol. VI, pp. 440, 441.) Seeing no yielding on the 
part of the countess, he resigned soon after, and 
wrote his immortal ''Checks." 

Thank God, neither Wesley nor Fletcher would 
be ruled by men or women, great or small, rich or 
poor, or all together! They had a work to do, and 
they possessed the vianliness and godliness to do it, 
at the loss of all things, if necessary. Had they sur- 
rendered, Methodism had been the little creature of 
Lady Huntingdon, false in doctrine, limited to a few 
English acres, inefficient and unimportant in the his- 
tory of religion and the world; but, following their 
own settled convictions as to doctrine and duty, they 
filled the world with their God-given sentiments, and 
drove Calvinism out of most pulpits, covenants, and 
creeds into the oblivion of rejected theology. 

Wesleyans have generally imitated their example 
in tfiis respect and prospered. A few have surren- 
dered to "My Lady" or "His Honor" or some 
other tempting prospect by the sacrifice of principle 
or established policy, but never with permanent suc- 
cess. The bubble has soon broken and demonstrated 
the folly of their course. Toadying to kings even, 
however good, does not pay in religion. They imist 
die, and it fs not likely that their successors will in- 
herit their viHues. 



13^ 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER VIL 



CALVINISTIC METHODISM WESLEY AND HIS WORK PROMI- 
NENT CHARACTERS INITIATED PROVISION FOR THE 

SACRAMENTS DEED OF DECLARATION. 



ALVINISTIC Methodism was not altogether a 



failure. Its Methodism, not its predestination, 
had a gracious influence on the Churches of both 
Europe and America, the effects of which remain to 
this day. It at first attempted no new organization, 
but sought rather to vitalize existing Churches. Mr. 
Whitefield, however, commenced his Orphan House 
on his first visit to Georgia. That colony had been 
established by Mr. Oglethorpe as an asylum for un- 
fortunate debtors and persecuted Protestants, with a 
common seal, bearing the cap of liberty. Slavery 
was excluded, because, as Mr. Oglethorpe said, it 
was against the Gospel, as well as the fundamental 
law of England, ... a horrid crime." Be- 
sides, it Avas claimed that slaves would "starve the 
poor laborer." 

But on Mr. Whitefield's second visit, finding that 
the colony did not prosper, he proposed to send his 
traveling companion to England to persuade the 
trustees to admit of the introduction of both slavery 
and rum. He afterward became a slave-holder, and 
before his death had fifty slaves belonging to the 




PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 



Orphan House, which fell to the Countess of Hunt- 
ingdon by his will, with his lands, books, and furni- 
ture, showing that he differed as widely with Wes- 
ley on human rights as on human rcdeniptio7i. 

Had this style of Methodism taken denominational 
form in the South, as Arminian antislavery Meth- 
odism did some forty-six years afterward, and been a 
success, it is not unreasonable to believe that the 
result on the fortunes of the slave would have been 
very different from what we now witness. And it is 
not the fault of Lady Huntingdon that it did not ; 
for, after the death of Whitefleld, she bought up all 
claims against his estate, and commenced missionary 
operations in the South on a large scale. Beginning 
with a day of fasting and prayer in all her chapels, 
she called her ministers and students together at 
Trevecka, and organized a missionary corps of pious 
young men, and started them off for Georgia, Octo- 
ber 27, 1772. Jubilees were held, sermons preached, 
an embarkation song was written by Mr. Shirley for 
the occasion, and sung with burning zeal, amid flow- 
ing tears. The whole community was moved, and 
"nothing was ever seen so blessed'' as the spirit with 
which these self-consecrating martyrs went forth to re- 
deem the perishing South. The poor rejected Armin- 
ians looked on with amazement, and, we trust, with 
joy, though they regarded themselves superseded in 
the New World, for which they had as yet laid no plans. 

Reaching Georgia in .a few weeks, these pious 
adventurers gathered at the Orphan House, from 
whence they sallied forth in all directions, preaching 
with grand success, giving particular attention to the 
slaves. Every thing went on hopefully for several 



134 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



years. Calls for their services came thick and fast, 
new churches were proposed if they would come and 
occupy them. The provincial government favored 
them, and offered pecuniary aid. What could be 
more charming? And God seemed to bless them, 
and no doubt did so. But after all, his decrees crossed 
their path, and exploded the whole scheme. The 
Revolutionary War burst upon the country, and made 
things so hot around them, that they all returned to 
England. The Orphan House was burned, the 
Whitefield property confiscated, and the whole terri- 
tory left to await the coming of the discarded anti- 
slavery, Arminian Methodism. After the war, the 
countess made a vigorous effort, through Washing- 
ton, Franklin, and others, -to recover her property and 
position, but to no purpose; her peculiar Methodism 
in God's inscrutable providence had been found want- 
ing, and was abolished. 

THE FORTUNES OF THE CAUSE IN EUROPE. 

The countess having taken advantage of the "Act 
of Toleration" to protect her chapels, she had to 
provide for the ordination of her preachers independ- 
ently of the bishops. This broke the connection be- 
tween her and some^ of her ablest clerical supporters. 
She however presided like a bishop over her clergy, 
calling and sending ministers at pleasure. But time 
and care were breaking her down, and in 1791 she 
closed her singular but useful life in the eighty-fourth 
year of her age, having vainly endeavored to make 
arrangements for the continuance of the work she 
had begun. Her advisers failed her at the last from 
one cause or another, and she left her work to the 



PR OMINE.YT CHAR A CTERS. 



care of her executors. It has since been largely ab- 
sorbed by the Congregationalists. The Wales depart- 
ment, which was started prior to her public approval 
of Methodism, being well organized, continues to 
live and is doing much good. Her chapels and 
school also still live and bear her name, but effect 
comparatively little for the public good. 

MR. WESLEY AND HIS WORK. 

Mr. Wesley still held on his way, traveling more 
than four thousand miles a year, generally on horse- 
back, until he was seventy years of age, when he 
took to his carriage. He preached also several times 
a day, presided at his conferences, and supervised 
every part of the work, besides writing more volu- 
minously than most authors who devoted their whole 
time to it. When he was seventy-two years old, he 
wrote in his '']o\kxx\2X,'' find just the same 

strength as I did thirty years ago." In 1784, he 
wrote on his eighty-second birthday, ''I find myself 
just as strong to labor, and as fit for any exercise of 
body or mind as I was forty years ago." This re- 
markable preservation he every-where attributes to 
God first, and subordinately to his manner of living, 
being much in the open air, and never fretting. 

The conference of 1771, to which we have re- 
ferred, reported 30,338 members and 125 preachers. 
Francis Asbury and Richard Wright offered them- 
selves for America, and were sent. Joseph Benson, 
distinguished afterward in the counsels and liter- 
ature of the Church, made his first appearance in 
the minutes this year, though he had been a 
teacher at Kingswood, and afterward at Treveeka, 



136 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and had been dismissed by the countess as before 
stated, because he could not indorse Calvinism. His 
Methodism had also prevented his ordination in the 
Established Church. This was a great grievance to 
him at first, but a greater blessing in the end, as it 
gave him more of the joy of salvation, and Methodism 
one of its most learned and useful ministers and 
writers for a half century, as may be inferred from his 
excellent commentary, sermons, and the Methodist 
magazine, of which he was editor some eighteen years 
prior to his death, which occurred in 1821. He was 
as wise in counsel as he was pious and learned, and 
twice enjoyed the honor of being president of the 
Wesleyan Conference. It is really wonderful how 
God supplied the wants of that young, but zealous 
people, raising up just the right men to open new 
fields, like Nelson, Coke, and Asbury; defenders of 
the faith, like Fletcher; and commentators, like Clarke 
and Benson, Men from all ranks and conditions of 
society, with special adaptation to particular and nec- 
essary labors, were called as they were needed. 

Three years later, Samuel Bradburn appeared in 
the conference, a peculiar genius, just unlike any 
other preacher then or since known, afterward distin- 
guished as the "Demosthenes of Methodism." Dr. 
Clarke said of him, "I never heard his equal; I can 
furnish no adequate idea of his powers as an orator; 
we have not a man among us that will support any 
thing like a comparison with him." He was a grand 
looking man, withal, full of natural humor, as well as 
vital religion, and it often served him a good turn, 
especially in mobs. Though trained a shoemaker, he 
was equal to all occasions, and for forty years rendered 



PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 



memorable service; and then departed in good hope 
of a glorious immortality. 

The conference for 1777 was held at Bristol, and 
appointed 154 preachers, and reported 38,274 mem- 
bers, exclusive of those in America, from which no 
report was received on account of the Revolutionary 
War, Including about seven thousand members 
there, this was a respectable gain. But still some 
imagined, as many have since, that Methodism was 
waning, having lost much of its simplicity and 
power. This led Mr. Wesley to a thorough canvass 
of the conference to ascertain the facts, the result of 
which was, that there was 110 decline. But one of the 
honest but desponding preachers, John Hilton, could 
not acquiesce in this finding, and not wishing to go 
down with a sinking cause, left and hid himself 
among the Quakers. 

METHODISM IN PRISONS. 

One of the striking features of these times, and, 
indeed, of all the early periods of Methodism, is the 
attention it gave to prisoners. And this is hardly 
strange when we consider their number and the hor- 
rible treatment they received from the English 
authorities. Men were imprisoned for almost every 
little real or imaginary offense, — even for debt, how- 
ever innocent, or unable to pay, and hung for the 
theft of a sixpence. How such cruelty was tolerated 
in the presence of God's Word and a pretentious 
Christian Church is unaccountable. The Oxford 
students, coming into sympathy with Jesus, were at 
once moved with pity for them, and ran to their 
relief And it was characteristic of Methodists 

12 



138 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



every-where to care for the wicked and poor of every 
community. In visiting a place, instead of courting 
the weahhy and respectable, they ran at once to the 
sick and miserable — to the prisoners, soldiers, and 
outcasts, and God raised up from these classes some 
of their m.ost effective laborers. Mr. Wesley took 
special pains to preach to the soldiers, many of 
whom were converted and called to the ministry. 
At the conference of 1778, he urged the preach- 
ers to visit the prisoners. He had faith in the 
Gospel to raise the fallen and save the lost; even 
to convert the prejudiced Romanists, and many 
of them believed and were born again. If we 
will carry on the work which he so nobly began, we 
must imitate his faith and practice in this respect, 
and not go beating about to find easy and respect- 
able cases, 

- ANOTHER NECESSARY PROVISION. 

About this time a talented young man, the only 
son of wealthy parents, entered the ministry of the 
Established Church, at South Petherton, and attracted 
much attention, though destitute of the one thing 
needful. Falling in with Mr. Maxfield, he received 
some new light, which was greatly increased soon 
after by conversation with a poor Methodist peasant, 
who explained to him justification by faith, regener- 
ation, the witness of the Spirit, etc.; when he threw 
aside his notes and began to preach in good earnest, 
and while preaching received the witness in himself, 
and was "filled with joy unspeakable and full, of 
glory." This so inspired him that he was denounced 
as a Methodist, rejected by his rector, reproved by 



PR OMINENT CHAR A C TERS. 



his Bishop, threatened by a mob, as a matter of 
course, and chimed out of the Church; whereupon 
he preached in the streets, and having read Fletcher's 
incomparable "Checks," joined the Methodists, and 
became the celebrated Dr. Coke, the first Methodist 
bishop of America, and the founder of Wesleyan 
missions, upon which the sun has never set for many 
years. Thus God keeps up the succession of right 
men for the carrying on of his work. Though Mr. 
Wesley never worried, he had often wondered who 
would succeed him at his death. Mr. Fletcher had 
declined the honor. All his other arrangements thus 
far had been unsatisfactory, but here was the man to 
suggest a practicable plan of adjustment, *'The Deed 
of Declaration," and to act a leading part in securing 
for it the general approval of both preachers and 
people. Mr. Wesley regarded him as his right-hand. 

ANOTHER IMPORTANT MAN CALLED. 

While Wesley was preaching in Dublin on one 
of his early visits to that city, a youth went to hear 
him, and was interested. Subsequently, that same 
young man heard his brother in London. Afterward, 
on hearing one Smyth in Ireland, who had been dis- 
missed from his curacy on the charge of Methodistic 
tendencies, the love of God was shed abroad in his 
heart, when he began to visit the prisoners and other 
sufferers for their good. After many struggles and 
labors he graduated to the Methodist miinistry, and 
was received into the conference in 1779 on proba- 
tion. This was Henry Moore, who, in the course 
of a few years, was stationed in London, and became 
Mr. Wesley's confidential adviser on all important 



140 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



matters, and his traveling companion. He was also 
ordained by him, and made one of the trustees of 
his manuscripts and books, Mr. Wesley prized 
him very highly, and was, no doubt, much aided by 
his wise and pious counsels in his old age, in the 
absence of Dr. Coke, who was flying from continent 
to continent, planting the Gospel in new fields. 
This prepared him to understand Mr. Wesley's 
plans, and to assist in managing affairs after his 
death as few men could, and also to become his 
most reliable biographer. 

MR. WESLEY ORDAINING MINISTERS. 

From the last-named conference the work went 
on, attended with its usual labors, difficulties, and 
successes, till 1784, when circumstances seemed to 
require decisive action. Independency and ordina- 
tion had been long urged by many, and opposed by 
others. Mr. Wesley, in his lingering attachment to 
the established Church, though he regarded the apos- 
tolic succession as a ''fable, " had hesitated to exer- 
cise the right of ordaining ministers for the societies 
which he had been the means of organizing. He 
feared that in thus openly taking issue with the 
Church he would lose more for his cause than he 
would gain. But the time had come when he must 
take the responsibility of providing the sacraments 
for his followers, especially in America, or they 
would provide for themselves. The bishops of the 
English Church would do nothing to relieve the case. 
They were generally without God themselves, and 
hated Methodism little less than the mobs they in- 
cited to destroy it. So, after due consultation with 



PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 



141 



Mr. Fletcher and other pious churchmen, he ordained 
Dr. Coke superintendent of the Methodist societies 
in America, September 2, 1784, and Richard What- 
coat and Thomas Vasey presbyters, to accompany 
and co-operate with him. His brother Charles was, 
of course, opposed to the whole proceeding, and re- 
monstrated, saying, *'Alas! what trouble are you 
preparing for yourself, as well as for me and for 
your oldest, truest, best friends ! Before you have 
quite broken down the bridge, stop, and consider ! 
If your sons have no regard for you, have some for 
yourself. Go to your grave in peace ; at least, suffer 
me to go first before this ruin is under your hand." 
His grief was intense, and, it seems to us, equally 
ridiculous ; and perhaps it was well that he did de- 
part in peace soon after. The ice being thus broken, 
and nobody harmed, Mr. Wesley ordained several 
others of his lay preachers for Scotland, the West 
Indies, America, and the home service, limiting the 
latter to the administration of the sacraments in cases 
of necessity; and we have yet to learn that their 
priestly services were not just as efficient and accept- 
able to God and the people as those of any bishop 
or pope. If great and good men can be so enslaved 
to a mere fiction of Romanism, how can we blame the 
ignorant masses who rely on other fables for their 
salvation from the same source ? 

ANOTHER EMERGENCY PROVIDED FOR. 

These proceedings removed one great source of 
disturbance and danger to the societies. Another 
occasion of solicitude was found in the advanced age 
of Mr. Wesley, who could not be expected to con- 



142 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



tinue much longer at the head of his multiplying 
followers. Who was to take his place without his 
influence? (and no man could have that) was a question 
w^iich occupied, not his attention only, but that of 
the preachers, who already trem.bled for the unity of 
the body when Mr. Wesley should be called to his 
reward. 

From references already made to Mr. Fletcher, 
the reader would naturally infer that he occupied a 
high place in the affections of the whole connection. 
This was so ; in proof of which, Mr. Wesley was fre- 
quently solicited to secure him for his successor. 
Accordingly, in January, 1773, he wrote him a very 
emphatic letter, urging him by high considerations to 
enter into the itinerant work, and be prepared to 
succeed him in office. Mr. Fletcher replied with his 
usual modesty, declining the overture, but promising 
such assistance as he might be able to afford in cer- 
tain contingencies. This was construed into encour- 
agement by some of the preachers, and Mr. Fletcher 
Avas addressed a second time ; but to no purpose. He 
was a great man, an excellent scholar, and an eminent 
Christian ; but he was not probably ' ' born to com- 
mand." He could not fancy the position offered 
him. am," said he facetiously to a friend, "like 

one of your casks of wine: I am good for nothing 
till I settled 

Methodism had found its way to America some 
time before. It now appeared in the Isle of Man, in 
Holland, and other places, and Mr. Wesley presided 
over the whole, traveling from country to country in 
his regular course with the same apparent ease and 
energy he had displayed in former years. But the 



PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 



question must be settled, "What is going to be done 
when Mr. Wesley dies?" Most of the trust deeds 
secured the right of appointing the preachers to the 
several chapels to him, some made no provision for 
their appointment after his demise, while many vested 
the right to appoint in the conference. But who 
were the conference ? As before stated, it was com- 
posed of such preachers as Mr. Wesley called to- 
gether to counsel with him, and none others. Here 
was a difficulty which many feared, and some hoped, 
would prove fatal to the union of the societies. 

To avoid so great a calamity Mr. Wesley took 
legal advice, and prepared a ''Deed of Declaration," 
constituting one hundred preachers, whom he named 
therein, the conference of the people called Method- 
ists, making provision for the filling of vacancies 
occasioned by death, superannuation, or excision ; 
and defining their duties and powers so as to secure 
the occupancy of the meeting-houses, and other 
society propert}^, to the Methodists, according to the 
original design, and preserve the itinerancy forever 
unimpaired among them. This deed being recorded 
in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery, in the year 
1784, the question of aiitJiority and goveiinncnt was 
settled. The deed created some little uneasiness 
among certain preachers not named in it, particularly 
such as had left the work like Dr. Whitehead, and 
were hoping to obtain a settlement, as did Mr. Wes- 
ley's book-steward, in a Congregational Methodist 
Church. But in general it gave great satisfaction. 
Mr. Wesley's motives for this measure we find stated 
by himself in these words: 

''Without some authentic deed, fixing the meaning 



144 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



of the term, the moment I died the conference 
had been nothing. Therefore, any of the proprietors 
of the land on which our preaching-houses were built 
might have seized them for their own use, and there 
would have been none to hinder them, for the 
conference would have been nobody — a mere empty 
name. 

''You see, then, in all the pains I have taken about 
this necessary deed, I have been laboring, not for 
myself (I have no interest therein), but for the whole' 
body of Methodists, in order to fix them upon such 
a foundation as is likely to stand as long as the sun 
and moon endure. That is, if they continue to walk 
by faith, and show forth their faith by their works; 
otherwise, I pray God to root out the memorial of 
them from the earth." 

THE WISDOM OF THE MEASURE DEMONSTRATED. 

The remarks of Mr. Moore on the importance 
of this ''Deed" are full of sound sense. He says: 

"That men (not a few of whom had departed 
from the society, and some had been expelled from 
it), should, merely, by virtue of their legal authority 
over the premises, appoint preachers to feed and 
guide the flock, exhibited a distressing prospect. 
Even where the trustees continued members of the 
society, and attached to its interests, what could be 
expected, in a matter of such vital concern, from 
men so much engaged in worldly business? This 
has often been proved in religious communities. It 
was the chief cause of the decline of religion among 
the latter Puritans: their lay elders assumed after 
some time, the whole authority. From this pro- 



PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 



ceeded that worldly spirit and political zeal which so 
greatly dishonored that work in its last days ; and 
which had previously overthrown both Church and 
State. 

''The evil showed itself in prominent overt acts, 
previous to this period, Mr. Wesley, having striven 
to prevail on some trustees in Yorkshire to settle 
their chapels, so that the people might continue to 
hear the same truths, and be under the same disci- 
pline as heretofore, was assailed with calumny, and 
with the most determined opposition, as though he 
intended to make the chapels his own ! Another set 
of trustees, in the same county, absolutely refused to 
settle a lately erected chapel; and, in the issue, en- 
gaged Mr. Wesley's book-steward in London, who 
had been an itinerant preacher, to come to them as 
their minister. This man, however, was * zvise in his 
generation' and insisted upon having an income of 
sixty pounds per annum, with the chapel house to 
live in, settled upon him during his life, before he 
would relinquish his place under Mr. Wesley. What 
will not party spirit do? I was a witness, when, 
after Mr. Wesley's death, it was found that the 
preachers continued united and faithful in their call- 
ing, how deeply those men repented of their con- 
duct in this instance. In vain they represented to 
the man of their unhappy choice how lamentably their 
congregations had declined, and how hardly they 
could sustain the expenses they had incurred.. The 
answer was short : TJiey might employ other preacJiers 
if they should think it proper; but the dwelling-house 
and the stated income belonged to him.'' 

13 



146 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



OBJECTIONS TO THE DEED EXPLAINED. 

*'We need not wonder that Dr. Whitehead should 
speak with such deep concern, and indulge such a 
spirit of calumny, concerning this important measure 
of settling the chapels. The doctor, and many others 
who had departed from the work, had, through that 
wise measure, but little prospect of succeeding, hke 
his friend the book-steward, to occupy chapels built 
for the people by Mr. Wesley's influence and the 
labor of the preachers. The favor of those trustees 
who might be disposed to forget their sacred obliga- 
tions, and incur such an awful responsibility, held 
out but little hope to such men, now that a legal 
definitioi". was given to the phrase — The Confer- 
ence; and, in fact, every appeal made to equity has 
fully succeeded, on this very ground. 

*'In that day of uncertainty and surmise, there 
were not wanting some, even among the itinerant 
preachers, who entertained fears respecting a settle- 
ment of this kind. One of those preachers, and of 
considerable eminence, attacked the Deed of Settle- 
ment, and declared that Mr. Wesley might as justly 
place all the dwelling-houses, barns, workshops, etc., 
in which we had preached for so many years, under 
the authority of the conference, as he had done the 
chapels; and that he thus assumed an authority the 
Lord had not given him. This seemed far too strong 
to be generally received, and it was quickly answered. 
A preacher, in reply, observed, 'that, certainly, there 
was as much justice in the one case as the other, pro- 
vided those dwelling-houses, barns, work-shops, etc., 
had been built in consequence of the preaching, and 



PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 



by the subscriptions of the connection; and in order 
that those erections might continue to be used for 
the purposes for which they were thus built!' This 
closed the debate for that time." 

MR. Wesley's letter to the conference. 

To give this instrument a happier operation and 
more general acceptability, Mr. Wesley left the fol- 
lowing letter to be read at the first session of the 
conference after his decease: 

"To THE Methodist Conference. 

"Chester, April 7, 1785. 
" My Dear Brethren, — Some of our traveling preachers 
have expressed a fear that, after my decease, you would exclude 
them either from preaching in connection with you, or from 
some other privilege whicli they now enjoy. I know no other 
way to prevent any such inconvenience than to leave these, 
^ my last words, with you. 

"I beseech you, by the mercies of God, that you never 
avail yourselves of the 'Deed of Declaration' to assume any 
superiority over your brethren ; but let all things go on among 
those itinerants who choose to remain together exactly in the 
same manner as when I was with you, so far as circumstances 
will permit. 

"In particular, I beseech you, if you ever loved me, and if 
you now love God and your brethren, to have no respect of 
persons in stationing the preachers, in choosing children for 
the Kingswood school, in disposing of the yearly contribution 
and the preachers' fund, or any other public money ; but do all 
things with a single eye, as I have done from the beginning. Go 
on thus, doing all things without predjudice or partiality, and 
God will be with you to the end. John Wesley." 

CONFERENCE ACTION ON THE SUBJECT. 

This letter was read to the conference, according 
to the writer's design, and responded to by resolu- 
tions pledging that body to entire acquiescence in its 



148 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



suggestions. But the effect was not all that was 
desired. Though it allayed the fears of individuals, 
it did not endear the government provided for in the 
" Deed " to all parties. Some had little fondness for 
the national Church, and wished to have all connec- 
tion sundered, that they might enter the lists against 
it. The heads of others were quite turned in favor 
of ecclesiastical democracy. They could away \\qth no 
system that did not eschew all distinctions, while a 
considerable number of excellent men preferred 
something a little different from the existing plan. 
The matter was talked over privately, and a private 
convention or tw^o was called, in which systems were 
suggested and discussed, and in which, too, strong 
preferences were expressed for our own. But the 
secret was soon out, and raised an excitement which 
alarmed the friends of the cause exceedingly. But 
the next conference, by the timely aid of their 
''Deed," firmly resisted all attempts to effect a 
change in the constitution, in the face of great and 
good men whose names are still cherished with 
veneration. 

THE DEED A GRAND SUCCESS. 

Thus, that instrument has ever proved itself the 
sheet-anchor of Mr. Wesley's incomparable plan of 
itinerancy, and of the true interests of Methodism in 
every emergency. If the preachers have at any time 
inclined to diverge from it, it has restrained them, 
and it has compelled them to discountenance and 
suppress all tendencies to revolution ; so that the de- 
signs of Mr. Wesley and his coadjutors have been 
steadily carried out. And, so far as we can now 



PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 



149 



see, they must continue to be to the end of time, 
unless the conference shall apostatize from God, and 
become indisposed to work the system; or the legis- 
lative or judiciary department of the country shall 
prove recreant to duty, and attempt to mend what it 
ought only to pTotect. But we think there is no im- 
mediate occasion for alarm. The experiments which 
have been made in vain at all these points, form 
ground of confidence in the integrity both of the 
conference and the judiciary. 

Hence, instead of the societies being scattered at 
the death of Mr. Wesley, as was anticipated, they 
struck their roots still deeper, and extended their 
branches wider. Says Mr. Jackson: ''Extensive re- 
vivals broke out in several places ; new societies were 
formed, and older ones were quickened and aug- 
mented ; and many chapels, of various sizes, were 
erected and enlarged. Within ten years after Mr. 
Wesley's death the societies were increased in Great 
Britain alone more than forty thousand rnemberSy and 
in twenty years they were increased upward of one 
hundred thousand. " 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MR. Wesley's labors — other departures from the 
CHURCH — Wesley's last conference — his death — 

STATISTICS OF HIS WORK OTHER RESULTS OF HIS 

LABORS. 

HAVING provided the sacraments for Method- 
ists of all lands, and for their self-government 
after his departure, it would not have been unreason- 
able if Mr. Wesley had taken life a little easier, and 
lingered about his beloved home. But these wise 
arrangements seem not to have relieved him in the 
least ; he moved right on in his wonted course, 
preaching, writing, and itinerating as before, and all 
the more as he saw the time of his departure ap- 
' proaching. On entering upon his eigJity-fiftJi year 
he makes his first acknowledgment of decline, con- 
fessing to some failure of sight, activity, memory, 
etc. A year later he was still more infirm ; but in 
1 790 he wrote : ' ' I am now an old man, decayed 
from head to foot." But still he worked on during 
all this time, traversing England, Ireland, Scotland, 
and Wales, preaching to immense throngs in chapels 
and churches and in the open air, until he could not 
see to read the hymns, or even stand up without 
support. And his preaching was as powerful as it 
had ever been, producing all the mighty results of 
other days. 



LABORS AND RESULTS. 



OF HIS LATER CONFERENCES. 

The conference of 1781 was remarkable for origi- 
nating what is generally called ''The Cabinet." 
Presiding elders were then unknown. The Cabinet 
was composed of Mr. Fletcher, Coke, and four 
others, who were invited by Mr. Wesley to meet 
him every evening for consultation. 

This conference also determined to receive no 
married preachers on account of the difficulty of 
supporting families, if enough others offered. Be- 
sides, the preachers were prohibited to publish any 
thing without Mr. Wesley's consent; and all the 
profits of their publications were to go into the com- 
mon stock. 

The next conference brought up an old issue, the 
like of which has appeared several times since. The 
trustees at Bristol insisted on choosing their own 
preachers. Wesley would not consent, because it 
would ruin the itinerancy; and the conference sus- 
tained him, and resolved to take a collection in all 
the societies to erect a new chapel. But the trustees 
surrendered, as they generally do in such cases, if 
not sustained by the preachers. 

A more important event of this conference was 
its reception of Adam Clarke, whose fame is in all 
the world, as a scholar and commentator. Being 
sent to Norwich Circuit, he preached four hundred 
and fifty sermons in about eleven months, traveling 
a circuit of two hundred and sixty miles extent, 
largely on foot, with his saddle-bags on his back, 
there being but one horse for four preachers. His 
youth and talents commanded general attention ; and 



152 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



many bowed before the Lord. The next year he 
received on trial a shoemaker's apprentice, by the 
name of Samuel Drew, who afterward distinguished 
himself as a metaphysical writer and a defender of 
Methodism. Young Clarke soon advanced to the 
front rank of Wesleyan preachers, and astonished 
the world by his wisdom and labors. Though his 
sermons were often very elaborate and popular, he 
always preached extempore. He simply filled him- 
self with his subject, and then talked from that full- 
ness to his admiring hearers, which is a common- 
sense way of producing conviction. 

The conferences of those times were practically 
very much like annual conferences of the present day. 
That of 1784 received eight preachers on trial, 
twenty-five into full connection, and dismissed five 
by location and two by death, stationing one hun- 
dred and ninety- seven among 49,219 members. The 
total membership, including 14,988 in America, was 
64,207. This conference was a critical one, having 
to set in judgment on Mr. Wesley's "Deed of Dec- 
laration." Human nature was then about the 
same it is now, and was not always sanctified by 
grace even among preachers, who were bold to face 
mobs, and die for Christ and his cause. The Deed 
named one hundred men who were to constitute the 
legal conference at Mr. Wesley's death, and exercise 
jurisdiction over the connection, under certain restric- 
tions. But there were several good men who were 
mortified that they were not among the number, and, 
therefore, combined to resist the measure. The 
debate that ensued was very sharp, and involved 
personalities that seemed quite threatening, and 



LABORS AND RESULTS. 



probably would have resulted in something more 
serious had it not been for the sainted Fletcher, who 
Avas present and poured oil on the troubled waters. 
Standing as he did on the brink of the grave, and 
filled with the Spirit as few men have ever been, he 
threw his whole soul into the contest, pleading for 
peace. Never," says one who was present, never, 
while memory holds her seat, shall I forget with 
what ardor and earnestness Mr. Fletcher expostu- 
lated, even on his knees, both with Wesley and the 
preachers. To the former, he said : * My father ! my 
father ! they have offended, but they are your chil- 
dren. ' To the latter he exclaimed : ' My brethren ! 
my brethren ! he is your father !' and then portraying 
the work in which they were unitedly engaged, fell 
again on his knees, and, with meek fervor and devo- 
tion, engaged in prayer. The conference was bathed 
in tears." The Deed was confirmed. Several of the 
objectors yielded, though they never forgot the 
offense complained of ; but three or four seceded and 
joined other bodies, without improving their religious 
feelings or social fortunes. It takes more grace to 
bear a slight, real or imaginary, than to face a mob. 
Of course, these men went off complaining of Mr. 
Wesley and the ''Deed," which led the next confer- 
ence to issue a paper, assuming the responsibility of 
the transaction. 

ANOTHER STEP FROM THE CHURCH. 

The conference of 1786 brought up the old ques- 
tion of the relation of Methodists to the Church, 
which was settled as before, except that permission 
was granted to hold service in the chapels during 



154 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Church hours where the clergy were notoriously 
wicked or dangerously heretical, and where Method- 
ists were not well accommodated with Church serv- 
ice, thus paving the way to that independency which 
was certain to come not long hence. Another good 
thing done at this conference was to receive Will- 
iam Bramwell on trial, whose remarkable history is 
familiar. He was not distinguished for learning, like 
some of his predecessors, so much as by his power 
in prayer and in bringing sinners to Christ. When 
he was converted he says "heaven came down to 
earth. It came to my soul. . . . My soul was 
then all wonder, love, and praise." And he retained 
it, and led multitudes to the same blessed experience. 

The work of God so increased, Mr. Wesley ven- 
tured another step away from the assumptions of the 
Church, and ordained three presbyters fo7' England, 
as he had ordained others for Scotland and America, 
and then ordained one of them, Alexander Mather, 
superintendent or bishop. Hardly a year passed 
when the wickedness of the Church authorities and 
the growth of his societies did not imperatively de- 
mand some new departure from the establishment. 

Wesley's last conference labors. 

The last conference he attended was held at 
Bristol, July 27, 1790, where he organized his first 
''band" and erected his first chapel some fifty years 
before. Nozv, he was the acknowledged and be- 
loved father bishop of some 540 traveling preachers, 
1,200 local preachers, and 134,599 members, scat- 
tered among the nations, but fully organized, and 
forming the nucleus of the largest Protestant Church 



LABORS AND RESULTS. 



in the world. His parting with the Conference was 
deeply affecting. Says one of his preachers: 
parted with Mr. Wesley until the resurrection of the 
just. He appeared very feeble. His eye-sight had 
failed so much that he could not see to give out the 
hymns; yet his voice was strong, his spirit remarka- 
bly lively, and the powers of his mind and his love 
toward his fellow-creatures were as bright and as 
ardent as ever." 

His signature to the minutes of the conference, 
facsimiles of which may be seen on our third page, 
shows that his writing days were past. In making 
his last entry in his cash account, a little after, he 
adds in an almost illegible hand and in a manifest 
numerical error: "For upward of eighty-six years I 
have kept my accounts exactly. I will not attempt 
it any longer, being satisfied with the continual con- 
viction that I save all I can and give all I can — that 
is, all I have." 

But still he went on with his work, using up the 
few days and the little strength that remained to 
him for the glory of God and the good of his peo- 
ple. We find him again, a month later, at Bristol, 
holding a watch-meeting " till midnight; then in 
London, Cornwall, the Isle of Wight, and back to 
Bristol, preaching at five o'clock in the morning, 
and elsewhere, preaching in the streets, burning 
with fever, closing his full ministry at Leatherhead, 
February 23, 1791, with the text, ''Seek ye the 
Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him 
while he is near," showing that his early passion 
to save sinners was ''strong in death." "On that 
day," says Dr. Stevens, "fell from his dying grasp 



156 



HISTOTiY OF METHODISM. 



^ trumpet of the truth which had sounded the ever- 
lasting Gospel oftener and more effectually than that 
of any other man for sixteen hundred years. The 
Reformers of Germany, Switzerland, France, and 
England wrought their great work more by the 
pen than by the voice. It has been admitted that 
Whitefield preached more eloquently, with few ex- 
ceptions to larger assemblies, and traveled more 
extensively (though not more miles) than Wesley, 
within the same limits of time ; but Wesley survived 
him more than twenty years, and his power has 
been more productive and permanent. Whitefield 
preached eighteen thousand sermons — more than ten 
a week for his thirty-four years of ministerial life. 
Wesley preached forty-two thousand four hundred 
after his return from Georgia — more than fifteen a 
week." 

HIS DESCENT TO THE GRAVE. 

From this point he descended to the grave as 
such a man should, resting on the sure foundation 
indicated by the lines, 

"I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me," 

repeating them often when near his end. He was 
also filled with praise, and tried to sing, 

"I'll praise my Maker," etc., 

when he was too far gone to articulate. ''The best 
of all is, God is with us," was one of his dying 
utterances. March 2, 1791, in the morning, he ex- 
claimed to the group of loving friends around his 
bed, ''Farewell!" and passed away without a struggle 



LABORS AND RESULTS. 



157 



to his everlasting reward, in the eighty-eighth year of 
his age, and the sixty-fourth of his ministry. 

APPRECIATED AT LAST. 

The latter part of Mr. Wesley's career differed 
very widely, in one respect, from the former. His 
early travels were constantly interrupted by mobs 
and other persecutions, which not only embarrassed 
his work, but often endangered his life; but God 
permitted him to live to command the respect and 
veneration of his greatest e^iemies. His old age was 
honored with all the attention that was safe for any 
man to receive. "The churches in London were 
generally closed against him in 1738; but now 
he had more applications to preach in those very 
churches, for the benefit of public charities, than he 
could possibly comply with. His visits to many 
places in the country created a sort of general festi- 
val. The people crowded around him as he passed 
along the streets ; the windows were filled with eager 
gazers; the children waited 'to catch the good man's 
smile,' which the overflowing benignity of his heart 
rendered him ever willing to bestow. When he first 
went into Cornwall, accompanied by John Nelson, 
he plucked blackberries from the hedges to allay 
the cravings of hunger, and slept upon boards, hav- 
ing his saddle-bags for a pillow, till the bones cut 
through his skin. Now he was received, in that 
county especially, as an angel of God. On the 17th 
of August, 1789, on visiting Falmouth, he says: 
'The last time I was here, above forty years ago, I 
was taken prisoner by an immense mob, gaping and 
roaring like lions ; but how is the tide turned ! High 



158 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and low now lined the street from one end of the 
town to the other, out of stark love, gaping and 
staring as if the king were going by.'" (Wesley's 
Works, Vol. IV, p. 728.) 

Thus, integrity to God is sometimes honored even 
in this world. Whatever injustice, prejudice, and 
calumny may heap upon our names for a time, if 
we take it patiently, and plod on in the way of well- 
doing, redemption will come, and Haman shall be 
compelled by his own convictions to honor the same 
Mordecai he would have hanged. 

NUMERICAL PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETIES. 

The first attempt to take a census of the societies 
was made, as before stated, in 1766; but for several 
reasons it was very imperfectly done. Subsequent 
reports were more complete. Believing that they 
may be profitable to the reader in several respects, 
we present the following tabular statement. It must 
be remembered, however, that it gives but a very 
imperfect view of the good effected. Much of the 
time Mr. Wesley would not allow his preachers to 
form societies at all, but required them to urge their 
converts into the Established Church, or some other. 
In many cases these converts doubtless retained their 
formal connection with the Established Church with- 
out entering into Mr. Wesley's societies at all. 
Though Methodists in principle they did not become 
so by name; and yet they owed their spiritual life 
to the preaching of Mr. Wesley and his followers. 
The reckoning of names in the table which we 
give here is only of those enrolled on the class- 
books. Still the showing suggests important lessons 



LAB ORS AND RES UL TS. 1 5 9 



concerning the work, which may be turned to prac- 
tical account. 

TABULAR EXHIBIT. 



a 

•a P 


>S 




n 


Do. 
0 3 


a 






0 


0^ 
0 3 


te 0 


T) V> 
T) n 
0 XT 


mbe 
ocie 




~ (D 

0 <; 
3 2- 


te ol 
ort.. 


ach 
ppoi 


mbe 

ocie 




— ; 0 
n. < 
n 0 


f Re- 


ers 
inted. 






i ^ 


ers 1 
mted. [ 


^ (J! 
: 5' 




lent 


1767 


54 


25,911 






1779 


167 


42,486 


2,397 


$4,588 






1768 


64 


27,341 


1,430 


$28,260- 


1780 


171 


43,830 


1,344 


5,4" 


1769 


70 


28,263 


922 




1781 


178 


44,461 


631 


3,336 


1770 


83 


29,466 


1,143 




1782 


183 


45,823 


1,362 


6,735 


1771 


125 


30,338 


872 


9,476 


1783 


191 


45,995 


162 


6,897 


1772 


132 


31,984 


1,546 


16,397 


1784 


197 


49,219 


3,224 


5,740 


1773 


137 


33,272 


1,288 


12,336 


1785 


21 1 


53,839 


4,620 


9,781 


1774 


143 


35,612 


2,340 


4,331 


1786 


238 


60,329 


6,490 


9,525 


1775 


152 


38, '45 


2,533 


4,636 


1787 


261 


64,980 


4,651 


10,807 


1776 


175 


39,826 


1,681 


5,077 


1788 


298 


70,614 


5,634 


11,640 


1777 


154 


38,274 


i,552t 


2,250$ 


1789 


288 


74,254 


3,640 


1 1,630 


1778 


164 


40,089' 1,715 


5,365 


1790 


313 


76,968 


2,714 


13,687 



Thus we see the progress of the cause was not 
rapid, but steady and solid. Both preachers and mem- 
bers were received with great care, and dismissed 
with httle ceremony when found incurably wanting in 
character or usefulness. 



OTHER BENEFITS OF THE WESLEYAN MOVEMENT. 

Though these figures indicate remarkable success, 
we are to look elsewhere for the grandest results of 
the Wesleyan movement. It revolutionized the the- 
ology, ecclesiasticism, humanity, benevolence, and 
religious worship of the nations. Its early sympathy 
for prisoners, soldiers, sailors, slaves, and the poor, 

These collections were for different objects, such as education, chapel 
debts, etc. 

t A decrease — report from America not included as before, on account of 
the war. 

X The Chapel Fund collection omitted this year to assist in building the 
City Road Chapel. 



i6o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



laid the foundation of all the improvements that have 
occurred in the condition of these classes since the 
dark days of its first startling utterances. The ''hor- 
rible" decree of reprobation is not calculated to ex- 
cite sympathy for the oppressed. People are not apt 
to be better than their God. Methodism, pre- 
senting the God of love, "manifest in the flesh" of 
his son Jesus Christ, who lived a suffering life for 
fallen man, and died on the cross for his redemption, 
introduced the true model of Christianity and hu- 
manity which has since influenced the morals, relig- 
ion, legislation, and social life of the millions, — abol- 
ished slavery in its worst forms, and elevated the 
unfortunate to a better condition than they ever en- 
joyed since the world began. The humanity of to- 
day, of which we may be proud when we contemplate 
it in contrast with the tyranny and cruelty of a cent- 
ury and a half ago, is but the outgrowth of senti- 
ments and practices set on foot by the Holy Club at 
Oxford, and afterward developed by their labors and 
sufferings, in connection with their friends, the im- 
mortal Howard, Wilberforce, and others, who caught 
their benevolent sgirit. Many living Methodist 
preachers can remember when the dark pall of ''elec- 
tion and reprobation" hung over this country, par- 
alyzing all motives to Christian enterprise. They were 
met every-where by the defenders of the "decrees" 
and ordered off as heretics, and intruders. But 
having Wesley's "Doctrinal Tracts," and Fletcher's 
"Checks," in their saddle-bags, and the Scriptures in 
their memory and hearts, they entered the arena and 
put their learned traducers to flight. Where are 
these doctrines now? Who preaches them? Seeing 



LABORS AND RESULTS. l6l 

that the people would not hear them, they were parti- 
ally concealed by various forms of ''New Divinity." 
Being driven from these intrenchments, they were 
left to slumber in abandoned creeds, and musty 
volumes, which are seldom read ; and salvation 
by faith, free and full, is now generally offered to 
all sinners as the lawful purchase of the atonement, 
and that by the very Churches which once insisted on 
election and reprobation" as the cardinal ''doc- 
trines of grace." 

Methodism has also shed new light upon the doc- 
trine of salvation by faith, dimly apprehended by 
Luther but left so complicated with ceremonial condi- 
tions as not to be practicable to most minds. Wes- 
ley was never more anxious or sincere than when he 
went to Georgia to convert the Indians; but he was 
still in spiritual darkness. He had prayed and fasted 
enough to be converted a thousand times; but he 
had done it in obedience to the prevailing sentiments 
of the English Church inherited from the Papacy. 
Romanism puts its victims upon a course of self- 
mortification, terminating with pardon from the priest. 
The English Church did the same, all except the 
pardon, and that it modestly left to God, without any 
settled theory as to whether it would be pronounced 
in this life, and if so, what evidence of it, if any, 
would be given. Wesley thus sought salvation by 
works, and with great uncertainty as to the result. 
He sought it long and earnestly, as did his brother, 
and his friend, Mr. Whitefield. Calvinism was more 
explicit on two points. It claimed that the elect 
could not be saved from all sin, or even know that 
they were pardoned till death, so that the highest 

H 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



possible state of grace was little more than a per- 
petual anxiety. 

But when Wesley condescended to consult the 
poor unecclesiastical Moravians, they taught him the 
way of the Lord more perfectly, whereupon he 
sought salvation by faith, and obtained pardon, and 
the witness of the Spirit that he was born of God. 
Thus he came to know the meaning of the word sal- 
vation, the method of obtaining it, and the proper 
evidence of its accomplishment, and that it is for 
him that believeth in Jesus, irrespective of Church 
or priest. With this discovery he went forth and ac- 
complished the great work, an outline of which we 
have attempted to give. 

In prosecuting this enterprise many new expe- 
dients were forced upon him, which he reluctantly, 
but wisely entertained, and experimented into suc- 
cess. Others were divinely suggested to his mind 
which appeared more appropriate, and were adopted 
for himself and the Christian public of all nations. 
Among these are lay preaching and lay prayer-meet- 
ings, two marvelous innovations upon ' ' Church 
Order;" annual and quarterly conferences, love- 
feasts, class-meetings, Avatch-meetings, extempora- 
neous praying and preaching, tract distribution, even- 
ing meetings, devotional congregational singing, free 
Sunday and week-day schools, with many others, 
most of which have become quite ^common through- 
out Protestant Christendom. When the Methodists 
first went to rigid New England, there was no pro- 
vision in the Churches for evening meetings. Lay 
prayer-meetings for the masses were unknown. The 
first public speakings of Methodist women were 



LABORS AND RESULTS. 



163 



thought to be an outrage on St. Paul, and common 
decency, and their devotional songs were pronounced 
a disorder. But now, all these things are generally 
approved and practiced. 

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. 

We speak of these particulars not to glorify Mr. 
Wesley or Methodism. God called him to the work 
he did as certainly as he called Moses, or Nehemiah, 
or Paul, to their respective undertakings, and, no 
doubt, led him in the way he should go, for the 
good of the world. His works praise him, but God 
more, to whom be all the glory now and forever. If 
he was a *'Pope" as has been charged, he was one 
for God, and exercised authority over those whom 
God gave him, and who pleased to follow him. No 
successor has ever possessed the authority he had, 
for no one has occupied the same providential rela- 
tion to the work. He was the fatlier of it, and sac- 
rificed himself and all he had, or could honestly ob- 
tain, for its welfare. And this personal sacrifice was 
the real secret of his power over his preachers. Had 
he insisted on a salary of five hundred pounds a year, a 
very moderate sum for a bishop, then or now, or even 
accepted it, his authority would have been discarded. 
But he accepted nothing but labors and sacrifices 
more abundant. He did not, could not drive his 
helpers; he led them, was foremost in the loss of all 
things. This was also the secret of Asbury's au- 
thority. He never imposed heavier burdens on his 
preachers than he bore himself His heroic addresses 
to the young ministers were always backed by more 
heroic deeds. And this is the legitimate way to 



1 64 HIST OR Y OF ME THODISM. 



command authority in a free country, and especially 
in the work of God. 

The thing that should engross us, who have been 
especially profited by the labors of such leaders as 
John Wesley and Francis Asbury, is to follow them 
as they followed Christ, and not go back to the beg- 
garly elements of ceremonial or official religion, from 
which they delivered us. Their aim was to save siji- 
ners. For this they lived, labored, and sacrificed 
every personal power and interest. Should their 
tens of thousands of ministerial followers do as much, 
Methodism would not be long in taking the world 
for Christ. 

One further remark, and we pass on to other 
scenes. The Methodist system of government and 
Christian labor has commanded the admiration of 
our wisest men; and yet it has been, and will be, 
severely criticised. But whether good or bad, nearly 
every feature of it has come down to us from Mr. 
Wesley, and has been proved by the infallible test of 
experiment. It was constructed for the direction and 
government of live, consecrated men. Others can 
not like it. The moment it shall be modified to 
please worldly men, Avhether of the pulpit or the pew, 
its efficiency is gone. Times and customs may change, 
but this system, operated in the spirit which gave it 
birth, will never be found wanting in success. It may 
be modified, and will be, but so long as that modifi- 
cation shall impose more self-denial and labor on the 
leaders, as well as others, the cause will not suffer. 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED, 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE SITUATION STATED ISSUES INVOLVED — DEMANDS 

MADE PLAN OF PACIFICATION PROGRESS 

OF THE CAUSE. ' 

MR, WESLEY having finished his work, all eyes 
were now turned toward his governmental suc- 
cessors, the ''legal hundred." His system had worked 
well under his own wise and fatherly administration; 
but whether it would succeed as well, or at all, under 
the new arrangements, was a question about which 
there were various opinions. A few of the preachers, 
not named in the "Deed of Declaration," were quite 
willing that it should prove a failure, that they might 
obtain a permanent settlement in some one of the so- 
cieties. The majority, however, Avere intensely anx- 
ious that it should succeed and accomplish all that 
its lamented projector and his advisers had hoped. 
The first session of the legal hundred was, therefore, 
anticipated with profound solicitude. ' ' Pray, pray, 
pray!" rung out through the connection from the pen 
of Joseph Bradford; and Mr. Entwisle expressed a 
common feeling when he wrote, " My soul trembles 
for the ark of the Lord." 

The danger was greatly argumented by the agi- 
tated state of public opinion, growing out of the 
French Revolution, then pouring forth its torrents of 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



infidelity and unrestricted liberalism. Some of the 
preachers had become infected with the lowest kind 
of Republicanism, and were disposed, like Alexan- 
der Kilham, who soon after led the first succession, 
to throw off the Wesleyan yoke. Pamphlets, circu- 
lars, and appeals, representing different views and 
projects, were sent forth in every direction. Church- 
men and dissenters took a lively interest in the dis- 
cussion, hoping to break up the connection, and 
divide the spoils between them, a policy which is not 
entirely unknown in this country. 

Soon after the death of Wesley, Rev. William 
Thompson called a meeting of preachers for con- 
sultation, to make arrangements for the coming 
conference. This led to conflicting meetings and 
discussions wHch did not improve the prospect of 
peace. 

Dr. Coke, sharing the common solicitude, has- 
tened home from America, to be suspected and 
accused of improper motives in making his appear- 
ance just at that time. 

THE ISSUES INVOLVED. 

The tenacity with which Mr. W^esley adhered to 
the established Church has already been mentioned. 
He required nothing as a condition of membership 
in his societies, nor, indeed, allowed any conduct 
among his adherents which was inconsistent with 
their relations to the Church or conformity to its 
lawful requisitions. He held no service in the chap- 
els during the time of regular service in the church, 
except under peculiar circumstances, but attended 
that service himself, and enjoined upon his followers 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. 



to do the same; nor would he allow the preachers 
to administer the sacraments, but required his fol- 
lowers to receive the communion in the Episcopal 
Church. His preaching-places must not be called 
churches, but chapels; his helpers, not clergymen, 
but lay preacJiers ; and the assemblies of his people, 
mere societies. 

But he did not maintain this course without diffi- 
culty, nor without strong apprehensions that some- 
thing like a separation would ultimately take place. 
The repulsion of Methodists and Methodist preachers 
from the sacrament, and the infliction of cruel per- 
secution from a domineering priestJwod, created a 
general distrust of the piety of its incumbents, and 
a consequent disinclination to attend upon their 
ministry. Of course, there was a loud call for the 
sacraments in the chapels, which could not be fully 
answered without seeming to dissent from the estab- 
lishment. Mr. Wesley's personal influence went far 
to moderate this demand, but was hardly sufficient 
to allay it. At all events, he found it necessary to 
administer the sacrament himself in some of the 
chapels, and to secure similar service from several 
others of the regular clergy who were interested in 
his enterprise, and finally to ordain certain of his 
preachers for the purpose. 

This was the state of things at his death, when 
all eyes turned to the conference for some accommo- 
dation. To prevent the administration of the sacra- 
ments to the people by their own preachers was 
impossible. The conference had no power to do it 
had it been disposed. "The question," says Mr. 
Watson, "stood on the plain, practical ground. 



i68 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



'Shall the societies be obliged, from their conscien- 
tious scruples, to neglect an ordinance of God; or 
shall we drive them to the Dissenters, whose pecul- 
iar doctrines they do not believe; or shall we, under 
certain regulations, accede to their wishes?' " 

THE FIRST CONFERENCE. 

This conference, the forty-eighth from the begin- 
ning, met at Manchester, July 26, 1791, and pro- 
ceeded to business with the coolness and caution 
the situation seemed to demand. Rev. William 
Thompson, a wise, devout, and dignified Irishman, 
was elected president, and Dr. Coke secretary. 
There were about three hundred preachers present, 
all anxious, and generally solemn and prayerful. 

The first business, of course, was to read Mr. 
Wesley's letter, left as *'his last words" to the legal 
''hundred," which we have already recorded — a most 
wise and apostolic document, that it will be well for 
all bishops and conferences to keep in mind. This 
done, the conference agreed to grant the preachers 
in full connection equal privileges with themselves, 
so far as the Deed of Declaration would allow; 
to follow the plan left by Wesley; restricted the 
appointment of preachers to the same circuit to two 
years, except in special cases of "revival;" appointed 
Dr. Coke to preside at the Irish Conference, as he 
had done before; provided for various committees to 
co-operate with themselves in the management and 
prosecution of the work; pledged Mr. Wilberforce 
their co-operation in his efforts to abolish the slave- 
trade; arranged the appointments and adjourned. 

Thus the trying ordeal seemed to have been 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. 



169 



passed in safety; but the conference did not clearly 
touch the questions in dispute. . Its pledge *'to fol- 
low Mr. Wesley's plan" was susceptible of differ- 
ent constructions, which all parties explained to 
suit their respective opinions and purposes. Some 
thought it meant that they would adhere to the 
Church; others, that it favored dissent. Hanby, 
Taylor, and Cownley, whom Wesley had authorized 
to administer the sacraments, went on doing so, 
much to the annoyance of the opposing party, some 
of whom left the connection, Kilham rushed into 
the controversy, insisting on the largest liberty, pro- 
nouncing his Churchish opponents ^'bigots," their 
course ''trimming between God and the world," and 
their arguments ''political," "carnal, and sold under 
sin." Party feeling ran very high, and portended 
serious results. 

OTHER ACTION ON THE SUBJECT. 

The second conference met in London, July 31, 
1792, and elected Alexander Mather, whom Wesley 
had ordained superintendent, to preside, and Dr. 
Coke secretary. Mr. Kilham was soon arraigned 
and censured for the severity of his writings, and 
barely escaped expulsion by making some little ac- 
knowledgment, though ably defended by Bradburn, 
the" Demosthenes of Methodism." 

Some minor matters being disposed of, the ques- 
tion of the day — the sacraments — was introduced. 
Petitions from the people, calling for deliverance 
from bondage to the established Church, were pre- 
sented in large numbers, and not a few, equally 
emphatic, remonstrating against any change. The 

15 



170 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



conference was unwilling, at first, to do any thing 
on the subject. They had always been taught to 
regard themselves as a society in the Churchy and not 
a Church of themselves. With this understanding 
many of their most wealthy and pious members had 
joined, and were at that moment holding important 
offices of trust. They still loved the Church as their 
mother, and looked only to her for the valid admin- 
istration of the ordinances. The conference was 
aware how the change demanded would affect such 
people, and felt compelled to move cautiously; but 
their prudent tardiness and delay did not quiet the 
public mind. Discussion waxed warmer and warmer. 
The leading men in the conference were on opposite 
sides, and the prospect for peace was dubious. A 
majority, however, agreed that the preachers might 
administer the ordinances where a majority in the 
society was in favor of their doing so. This gave 
the High-church party great offense, and created no 
little disturbance. They then retracted, and allowed 
the sacraments only where there was no objection; 
but this increased the difficulty, as it gave the power 
to a single Churchman to bind all the rest of the 
society. The contention became intolerable. High- 
church trustees shut several of the chapels against 
Low-church preachers; congregations were divided; 
many seceded from the society, and things looked 
threatening indeed. What could be done? The 
conference was as much divided as the people. Mr. 
Benson was High-church; Mr. Moore, Mr. Wesley's 
biographer, was Low-church ; and both had been in 
the same circuit, serving different parties to the con- 
troversy. 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. I/I 

Thus the storm raged from year to year, but 
still the work of God prospered. The conference 
of 1795 opened under critical circumstances. Ex- 
citement had reached the culminating point. Argu- 
ment was exhausted. All seemed to feel that the 
decisions of this session would decide the fate of 
the Wesleyan body ; and yet it was obvious that no 
action, however wise, would please all, and prevent 
a separation of some from the Connection. The 
alternation of hope and fear could be distinguished in 
every countenance. Many a pious heart trembled 
for the ark of God. Trustees and stewards from all 
parts of the kingdom were assembled in the lobby, 
to speak for themselves and their constituents, and 
by all lawful means to persuade the conference to 
favor the preferences of , their respective parties. 
Some would secede if the conference should do thus 
and thus ; and others would secede if it should not. 
The conference heard all ; and, fully impressed with 
the delicacy of their position, entered upon their 
work like men of God, determined to take no advan- 
tage that did not belong to them, and come to some 
decision that would end the controversy forever, if 
possible. 

HOW THE MATTER WAS FINALLY SETTLED. 

It was first agreed to refer the whole matter to a 
'^committee of nine,'' to be chosen by ballot. This 
was the fairest way to choose them, and yet it was 
to be feared that in this way they would all be on 
one side, as it was evident the conference was not 
equally balanced. But no ; there was too much 
magnanimity in the body for this. All seemed to 



1/2 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



feel that both sides ought to be represented, and that 
minorities are to be respected. The ballotings re- 
sulted in the appointment of a mixed committee, 
consisting of Rev. Joseph Bradford, John Pawson, 
Alexander Mather, Thomas Coke, William Thompson, 
Samuel Bradburn, Joseph Benson, Henry Moore, 
and Adam Clarke. After sitting six evenings, three 
and a half hours each evening, in close deliberation, 
the committee presented a ''Plan of Pacification;" 
so accommodating all parties, and requiring conces- 
sions from all, that it Avas difficult to tell which party 
in the committee had prevailed. The truth was (be 
it said to the praise of God, and to the credit of 
their hearts as well as their heads), both prevailed. 
Their paramount interest was to save tlie cause ; and 
the matter in dispute being prudential arrangement, 
they acquiesced in a compromise that required con- 
cessions both ways, and still gave both sides their 
own way to an important extent. The conference 
adopted the report with great unanimity, by slightly 
altering one article, after which it very harmoniously 
appended two or three more, and sent it forth among 
the societies. Few could say it was just what they 
wanted ; but nearly all the real Methodists, embrac- 
ing the trustees, stewards, and private members, 
acquiesced in it as a plan of peculiar wisdom, dropped 
their controversies, and united anew in the work 
of God. 

It is not necessary to state all the provisions of 
this plan. It is enough to say that baptism and the 
Lord's -supper, together with service in the chapels 
during the time of Church service, were provided for 
on the condition that a majority of the stewards and 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED, 1 73 

leaders should approve of having them administered. 
But it did not bind the conscience of any one. If a 
majority should favor the sacraments, etc., according 
to the plan,'' it did not bind the minority to attend 
upon them. Members could go to Church as before, 
and those who preferred it might receive baptism 
and the sacrament at chapel. Was not this kind ? 
Was it not just ? And was it not Wesleyan too ? 
We have not a doubt of it. Mr. Wesley loved the 
Church, but he loved the souls of men better. He 
would not separate from her any further than he 
found it necessary to the work of God. The Church 
was not his God. In a letter to Mr. Walker, he 
says: **Nor have we taken one step further than we 
were convinced was our bounden duty. It is from 
a full conviction of this that we have, i. Preached 
abroad; 2. Prayed extempore ; 3. Formed societies ; 
and, 4. Permitted preachers who were not episco- 
pally ordained. And were we pushed on this side, 
were there no alternative allowed, we should judge 
it our bounden duty rather wholly to separate from the 
. Church, than to give up any one of t4tese points. 
Therefore, if we can not stop a separation without 
stopping lay preachers, the case is clear — we can not 
stop it at all." 

THE SACRAMENTS CONCEDED WITHOUT ORDINATION. 

But the desire of the conference to avoid all ap- 
pearance of separation from the Church led them to 
permit their preachers to administer the sacraments 
without the imposition of hands. This was not satis- 
factory to some, though they knew that the imposi- 
tion of hands was a mere ceremony, v/hich added 



174 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



nothing to the vaUdity of the ministry. But custom 
had invested it with so much importance; they were 
sure many people would never regard them as reg- 
ular ministers of the Gospel unless they had been 
ordained in the usual way. Therefore, they wished 
the conference to avail itself of a venerable custom, 
which, while it would add nothing to their authority, 
nor subtract any thing from the authority of the 
Church, would give them an influence over some 
minds that could not be otherwise obtained. 

These practical denials of Churchly assumptions 
did not, however, extinguish all leanings toward the 
establishment. The British Conference has never 
lacked good men of tender regard for the National 
Church. But the ridiculous conduct of some of the 
clergy has done enough to j-ustify complete aliena- 
tion, and, if we mistake not, the current of public 
sentiment is flowing in that direction. 

Nor did the arrangement satisfy Mr. Kilham, and 
some others of his way of thinking. He was a pos- 
itive character, born at Epworth, early converted, 
and sent out to the Channel Islands by Mr. Wesley 
as the servant of Brackenbury, some twelve years 
before, where he did much good. He was pio-us, 
active, and useful, but an indomitable democrat, 
and could not be pleased with the establishment. 
After a little time, therefore, he issued another 
pamphlet, entitled: Progress of Liberty among the 
People called Methodists," which was very severe. 
At the next conference he was arraigned again, and 
failing to substantiate his charges, or to make any 
proper retraction, he was expelled, and soon after 
started the Methodist Neiv Coiinection. Some of the 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. 



leading preachers had sympathized with his views; 
but his conduct ahenated them, and thus, probably, 
contributed to the general harmony of the body. 
But Mr. Kilham was not to be suppressed so easily. 
This treatment only fired him with new zeal, and he 
went forth proclaiming his grievances in such chapels 
as were open to him, creating great disturbance in 
many of the societies. He also started a periodical 
at Leeds, called The Monitor, through which he de- 
nounced the leading men of the conference in un- 
measured terms. The prospects for harmony were 
terribly alarming. The young preachers were repre- 
sented as generally in sympathy with the new move- 
ment. But at the meeting of the conference in 
1797, the cloud lifted. Ninety-seven of the suspected 
young men got up and signed a paper indorsing the 
abused leaders, and avowing their allegiance to the 
conference,' while the fathers presented a revised 
copy of Mr. Wesley's ''Large Minutes," incorpo- 
rating the new arrangements, which, after free and 
full consideration, were signed by all the members 
of the conference except two, who left to follow Mr. 
Kilham. These proceedings gave to the societies a 
better organization than they had ever enjoyed, and 
met with general satisfaction. But they did not 
extinguish Mr. Kilham. He pushed on in his own 
peculiar style, and drew away, perhaps, some five 
thousand members. The success of his Nezv Connec- 
tion has not been great. We learn from their con- 
ference reports for 1874, that they number 240 trav- 
ehng preachers, 1,270 local preachers, and 33,563 
members. They have also 596 Sunday-schools, 
11,566 teachers, and 80,483 scholars. 



176 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



THE IRISH CONFERENCE ORGANIZED. 

From the year 1752 to the year previous to his 
death, Mr. Wesley held an annual conference with 
the preachers in Ireland ; and provided in his poll- 
deed for such gatherings as often as the British Con- 
ference should judge expedient. The Irish Confer- 
ence has since been held annually under the presidency 
of some one appointed for the purpose. It embraces 
at present (1874) 152 itinerant preachers, 760 local 
preachers, and 20, 740 members, no more than it has 
had for many years, nor half as many as it has sent 
forth into all lands ticketed to other branches of the 
Wesleyan family. 

THE PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE. 

How successfully Methodism passed its first trans- 
ition period from the death of Wesley to its firm 
establishment on the new basis of the legal conference 
in 1797, may be inferred from the following summary 
of its reports, which show an annual average increase 
of 4,470 members : 



j Year. 


Trav. Prea. 


Members. 


Inc. 


Year. 


Trav. Prea. 


Members. 


Inc. 


I79I 


326 


78,993 


2,025 


^95" 


391 


97,902 


6,155 


1792 


350 


81,748 


2,755 


1796 


390 


104,879 


6,977 


1793 


362 


83,088 


2,340 


1797 


399 


108,261 


3,382 


1794 


389 


91,747 


8,649 











Though there were seven years of much difter- 
ence of opinion among both preachers and people, 
the grace of God seemed to abound, and the work 
of conversion did not cease. And what was of no 
little importance to the future of the societies, an 
asylum was estabhshed in the New Connection/' 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. 



177 



to which all coming dissentients might go in peace 
without disturbing the whole body. As it is impos- 
sible for men to see and feel exactly alike, even in 
religious matters, such a provision is necessary in all 
large communities. 

With the smoke and dust of battle cleared away, 
and an improved and a generally accepted economy 
adopted, imposing large responsibility on the laity, 
the conference entered upon its work with new cour- 
age. A running sketch of its operations will be 
sufficient to show that it did not labor in vain. 

The legal hundred was composed of ''preachers 
and expounders of God's Holy Word under the care 
and direction of the conference," thus excluding 
laymen from membership. The conference, how- 
ever, felt the necessity of lay co-operation, as Mr. 
Wesley had done, and proceeded to organize various 
committees for different purposes. In 1803, it pro- 
vided for a mixed ''Committee of Privileges'' to pro- 
tect the societies against outside interference with 
their operations. It had before authorized the stew- 
ards to attend the district meetings, showing a wise 
gravitation toward the complete improvement of all 
its available resources. Wise, we say, because God 
had called laymen into the work, who were little less 
distinguished than the ministers to whom we have 
referred; such as Joseph Butterworth, Thomas 
Thompson, a member of Parliament, and chairman 
of the "Committee of Privileges," Christopher 
Lundiers, and others. The celebrated class-leader, 
Carvosso, about this time left all secular business and 
gave himself wholly to spiritual v/ork, going from 
place to place holding revival meetings. This was a 



178 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



little ''irregular,'" but was divinely suggested, and 
greatly honored of God in the conversion of many 
souls. Some churchly ministers, however, could not 
understand or enjoy it. 

But they were still further tried by the activity 
and success of certain pious women who were moved 
to operate in the same direction. Ann Cutler went 
to Dewsbury, Bristol, Leeds Circuit, and elsewhere, 
and so labored that multitudes were born again. 
''This," says Bramwell, "was a great trial to many 
of us; to see the Lord make use of such simple 
means, and our usefulness comparatively but small." 
Mrs. Mary Fletcher and others were equally efficient, 
and helped to develop the slumbering power of the 
sisterhood, which has been increasingly appreciated 
ever since. Mrs. Fletcher went further than most 
of her sex,- — she preached. Perhaps a more saintly 
woman never lived, nor one more beloved. She 
died December 9, 18 14, in her seventy-sixth year, 
full of joyful expectations. Her expenses, the last 
year of her life, amounted to nineteen shillings and 
sixpence, less than five dollars; and never amounted, 
for her apparel, to more than five times that sum, 
while her contributions to the poor reached to nearly 
nine hundred dollars. 

NEW TRIALS ENCOUNTERED. 

In the outset, Methodism was regarded as a ripple 
upon the surface, hardly worthy of notice, that could 
easily be allayed by mobs, civil injustice, and popular 
prejudice. But it had now become so strong that 
serious apprehensions were entertained that it would 
undermine and overthow the Established Church. 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. 



179 



Its average annual increase had been about seven 
thousand members for many years, while the national 
Church was declining. Lord Sidmouth introduced a bill 
into Parliament that must have crippled its operation 
very seriously, as well as those of Dissenters gener- 
ally. Wilberforce and other distinguished Church- 
men strongly favored it. They could see nothing 
but danger in the 12,161 chapels, and the 3,672 min- 
isters that had been licensed in the interest of 
Methodism. Indeed, they made it appear pretty 
clearly that the Methodists and Dissenters through 
the country were in the majority, and they knew of 
no way to save the Church, except to crush out the 
invaders. But the Methodists and Dissenters, now 
'one in danger and interest, went to Parliament with 
such multitudinous petitions, backed by the influence 
of Erskine, Lord Stanhope, and others, that they 
defeated the measure. 

But this did not bring peace or safety. Certain 
partisan judges took the liberty of giving a new con- 
struction to the "Act of Toleration," which would 
have been particularly fatal to Wesleyan ministers, 
both traveling and local. This brought the Com- 
mittee of Privileges" to the front again, who so 
remonstrated with the prime minister as to obtain a 
new act of Parliament, which defeated the wicked 
device, and secured important advantages by sweep- 
ing away the ''Five-mile" and the ''Conventicle" 
Acts, under which many of the abuses suffered by 
Wesley and his early coadjutors had been perpe- 
trated. It brought relief, too, to the Quakers and 
other Dissenters, and was a grand achievement for 
Christian liberty. 



i8o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



About the year 1806, Dr. Coke, who had the 
sole charge of the missionary work under the confer- 
ence, projected a domestic missionary plan, for the 
purpose of pushing operations beyond the outm^ost 
boundaries of the regular circuits. This being car- 
ried into effect, the missionaries were immediately 
assailed by every species of opposition, and the civil 
authorities would interpose no obstacles to these 
riotous proceedings. The missionaries suffered in- 
tensely from mobs, hunger, and the want of shelter, 
and some sacrificed even their lives on this fallow 
ground; but they conquered at last. Methodism in 
England has richly earned all the influence it enjoys. 
If the present ministry were willing to do and suffer 
half as much as did its pioneers, the millennium 
would not be long delayed. 

THEIR FEELINGS AND TRIUMPHS. 

The name of William Bramwell is familiar to 
many of my readers. In 1806, he wrote to his 
friend: "I was never so struck with the Word of 
God as at the present. Its truth, its depth, its 
promises quite swallow me up. . . . My soul 
enters into Christ in this blessed book. ... I 
could read and weep and love and suffer; yea, what 
could I not suffer when I thus see him! Justifica- 
tion is great; to be cleansed is great: but what is 
justification or the being cleansed when compared 
with this being taken into himself! The world, the 
noise of self, all is gone, and the mind bears the full 
stamp of God's image. Here you talk and walk and 
live, doing all in him and to him. . . . O, this 
heaven of God's presence; this opening into glory; 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. l8l 

this weeping- over a lost world; this being willing to 
lay down you'' life for the Church! God is love. I 
feel its fire, its burning, as I write." 

This was the power of the fathers — they felt 
deeply. They had not half the average knowledge 
of the present race of preachers, but they were 
on fire. Like Jesus, they wept. Wesley wept. 
Whitefield poured out strong cries and tears. Bunt- 
ing, Newton, Bradburn, Benson, Clarke, Asbury, all 
wept because they felt — were overwhelmed with con- 
cern for sinners. This was their power with God 
and men. 

Under these heavenly influences they worked, 
preached, held family meetings, class-meetings, vis- 
ited from house to house, suffered neglect, imper- 
tinence, and abuse. Entwisle wrote from the Roch- 
ester Circuit: ''Having no horse, we have much 
walking in lonesome roads and wet fields. 
As yet, we have no lodgings in our new places. 
One of them is five miles, another six, and another 
eight miles distant. From these places we return to 
supper. However, we have souls for our hire, and 
many poor people come two, three, and even four 
or five miles, from beyond where we preach, thirst- 
ing for the words of eternal life. . . . Never have 
I seen so much fruit of my labors in the same time." 

RADICAL MODIFICATIONS. 

Wesley's ''Deed" gave the legal hundred full 
control. Though other preachers had been present 
at the conferences, the legal conference elected its 
presidents and secretaries, and filled vacancies by 
seniority of service. But, the outsiders being greatly 



l82 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



increased, the conference in 1814 provided that all 
preachers who had traveled fourteen years might 
vote in the election of president and secretary, and 
also in the election of one-fourth of the members 
necessary to fill vacancies, subject to the confirma- 
tion" of the legal conference. This showed a kind 
and brotherly spirit, and no doubt did much to pro- 
duce good feeling in the connection. Under this 
arrangement Mr. Bunting was constituted a member 
of the legal hundred, though not old enough to 
come in on the ground of seniority. 

THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. 

It was now about time, in the ordinary course of 
events, to have another disturbance in the societies. 
The New Connection was becoming a little stale, and 
exciting novelties were crowding in on all sides. 
Among them was the appearance, in Staffordshire, 
of the eccentric Lorenzo Dow, from America, who 
at once attracted attention, and all the more by hold- 
ing several camp-meetings, then and now common in 
this country. Some were delighted, believing that 
the measure was calculated to do much good among 
a class of people who could not be reached by other 
means. The conference of 1807, however, was not 
pleased with the innovation, and took strong ground 
against it; but Hugh Bourne, a layman, and one 
Mr. Clowes, a local preacher, were so impressed 
with its importance to the Avork of God that they 
stirred up the people and continued the meetings, 
for which they were soon after expelled, and in 1810 
organized the ''Primitive Methodist Church," em- 
bracing the expelled members and such others as 



CONTROVERSIES SETTLED. 



183 



sympathized with them. They did not secede, had 
no war with their old friends, did not leave them 
willingly, and have never had much controversy 
with them since. Though they have received such 
from the Wesleyans as desired admission to their 
ranks, they long since passed an act that any mem- 
ber of their conference being guilty of denouncing or 
criminating another branch of the Christian Church 
should by that act cease to be a member. 

Thus, living at peace with all men, and adopting 
the most liberal and energetic measures, they have 
prospered exceedingly. They hold annual and quar- 
terly meetings, maintain the itinerancy and other 
Methodist peculiarities, and are a pious and devout 
people. They have faith in God, faith in the power 
of his word and in prayer, faith in sudden conver- 
sions, and, like the Wesleys, they go among the 
lowest and meanest of men and win them to Christ. 
At their conference, in 1874, they reported 1,020 
traveling preachers, 14,838 local preachers, 164,660 
Church-members, and 306,333 Sabbath-school schol- 
ars. They have a few societies in the Canadas, 
which are also in a flourishing condition, but have 
not been able to do much in the States, because not 
needed. They are sometimes called Ranters, in ref- 
erence to the freedom of their devotions. Though 
the movement was deprecated by the conference in 
the outset, it has done a great deal of good, and is 
likely to do much more. Its increase in members 
in the last twenty years is 56,747, and its work is 
extending encouragingly in America, New Zealand, 
Australia, and elsewhere, and it is not unlikely that 
it has exerted a beneficial influence on the Wesleyan 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



connection by its piety and persistent labor for God 
and the salvation of men. Though it took away 
some members, the loss was soon made up, for 
in 1815 the conference reported 943 ministers and 
230,948 members, and in 1825 1,083 ministers 
and 283, 195 members, showing a very respectable 
increase. 



MISSIONS. 



185 



CHAPTER X. 



FURTHER MISSIONARY OPERATIONS IN THE WEST INDIES 

THEIR EFFECT ON EMANCIPATION MISSION TO INDIA 

OTHER MISSIONS METHODISM IN IRELAND MORE 

TROUBLE ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS. 



HEN Methodists were in the heat of their 



* V early conflicts, their opposers tauntingly in- 
quired, Why don't they go to Kingswood? one of the 
most heathenish places in England. It was believed 
that the godless miners would prove more than a 
match for their Gospel power. They were not long 
in accepting the challenge, and went, established a 
society and a school, and lifted that degraded people 
above the moral plane of those who thus im- 
pugned them. 

With no stock in trade, no ministers, societies, 
funds, or schools, and few friends at the outset; and re- 
ligion in the British Isles in the lowest spiritual condi- 
tion, it was not reasonable to believe that they would 
soon find time or strength to reach out beyond the 
home field. Yet in 1760 we find them making a begin- 
ning in the West Indies, a little latter in Nova Scotia, 
and in 1766 in New York. These movements proved 
successful, as we shall soon see. Dr. Coke had 
charge of the missionary work until he started for 
India, in 181 3. He did the planning, begging, and 
a large part of \hQ giving irom his personal resources. 

16 




i86 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



The last conference attended by Mr. Wesley, how- 
ever, in 1790, appointed a committee to co-operate 
with him, as a sort of Advisory Board. His first 
missionaries to the West Indies arrived there in 1786, 
several years before the London or any of the now 
great missionary societies were formed. Three years 
later, the Wesleyans commenced operations in France, 
followed by others in Africa in 181 1, Asia in 1814, 
Australia in 181 5, Polynesia in 1822, and thus on 
until they had dotted the four quarters of the world 
with their missions. In fifty-seven years, ending in 
1859, they collected and disbursed ^^17, 349, 160 in the 
interest of their foreign work, and won more souls to 
Christ than all the other British missionary organiza- 
tions taken together. 

OF THE WEST INDIES. 

The progress of the cause in this interesting field 
is worthy of special attention in view of its civil as 
well as religious results to the inhabitants. Dr. Coke 
visited these islands in 1792, and found the work 
terribly embarrassed by persecution. Some of the 
missionaries had been driven off, some were in prison. 
The legislatures, in several cases, had prohibited 
further services under the heaviest penalties. But a 
considerable number had been converted. He did 
what he could to comfort the suffering but deter- 
mined missionaries, and appealed to the home gov- 
! ernment for protection, and obtained it. One of his 
missionaries had refused nearly four thousand dollars 
per annum and ordination in the Church, preferring 
to work for the poor slaves. In 1798, the mission- 
aries had increased to twenty-two, and extended 



MISSIONS. 



187 



their labors to most of the islands, braving dangers 
and death. The climate and the persecutions they 
suffered were most fatal. 

The ungodly planters seemed to feel that the 
preaching of such a Gospel to the slaves Avould 
sooner or later destroy slavery, and ruin their busi- 
ness, and they exerted all their great power to 
prevent it. They were right in this conviction. 
The only way to maintain slavery is to keep its vic- 
tims down, a little above the level of beasts. The 
first real step toward heaven is a step toward lib- 
erty. Mere ceremonial religion, without God or 
humanity, is safe, and oppressors will accept no 
other. 

But after all, they were obliged to acknowledge 
the transforming power of Methodism, for where they 
had been compelled to maintain a strong military 
force during the holidays to keep the slaves in sub- 
jection, they found the converted slaves could not 
only keep themselves in order, but their companions 
also. And, further, that it was safe to arm them to 
repel invaders. Thus the slaves proved themselves 
worthy of liberty long before they obtained it. The 
home government hearing that Methodist slaves had 
actually served as a military force, tendered Dr. 
Coke free passages for missionaries in the Falmouth 
packets, and exempted them from paying ''the king's 
head money." 

But O! what sufferings it cost the heroic mis- 
sionaries to bring about this state of things! Bux- 
ton and Wilberforce, and their philanthropic asso- 
ciates, received all the glory of emancipation, but 
without these Christian missionaries, they had only 



1 88 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

labored in vain. Theirs was a terrible struggle. 
They were stoned and starved and beaten and abused 
beyond measure. Societies were often broken up 
and scattered. Yet in 1799, Dr. Coke reported 
eleven thousand communicants, mostly slaves. In 
18 1 5 the conference reported about twenty thousand, 
though some of their chapels had been closed nearly 
ten years by governmental persecution. In 1807 
Jamaica enacted a law forbidding any "Methodist 
missionaries to instruct slaves, or to receive them 
into their houses, chapels, or conventicles of any 
sort." Dr. Coke and the Committee of Privileges" 
appealed to the home authorities, and had it nullified 
in 181 5, when the chapels were again opened. Mr. 
Shipman, a missionary, writing of the reopening, 
says, "The people, with joy sparkling in their eyes, 
and feelings of gratitude visibly portrayed on their 
countenances, came up once more to the house of 
the Lord. But I am certain that few of our friends 
in England can have any conception of the joy this 
merciful and happy event diffused, because none 
have been prevented by law from worshiping God 
for eight or ten years." In 1814 these faithful mis- 
sionaries pushed their way to Demarara and British 
Guiana, where the first class in South America had 
been formed three years before. But here, too, the 
fires of persecution raged furiously; but the right pre- 
vailed, as it did on the islands, in a most miraculous 
manner. For many years the slaves did not expect 
freedom, and first heard about it from their enraged 
masters. They embraced religion for its own sake, 
and its spiritual and eternal benefits, without even 
hoping for any change in their civil condition. 



MISSIONS. 



But while the missionaries were thus evangelizing 
them, and rendering them worthy of a better fate, 
the question of their emancipation was being pressed 
at home. Out of 352,404 signatures attached to a 
petition to Parliament, asking for emancipation, 229,- 
426 were those of Methodists. May 14, 1833, the 
final blow was struck. Lord Stanley made a motion 
in Parliament that from August i, 1834, slavery shall 
be forever abolished throughout the British colonies, 
and it was carried. All praise to God first, and sub- 
ordinately to Great Britain, its philanthropic lords 
and nobles, Churchmen, and Dissenters, high and 
low ! But in God's books the laborious, self-sacrific- 
ing missionaries stand foremost among the multitudes 
who contributed to the grand consummation. 

THE SAFETY OF THE MEASURE. 

One of the most alarming arguments against 
emancipation was, that it would produce rapine and 
murder, and drive the white population from the 
islands. This was now to be tested. Those who 
believed it, if any did, looked forward to the first of 
August with trembling anxiety. Time rolled on, 
and all was quiet. July came, and still the negroes 
continued at their task as usual. On the morning of 
July 31st, all was peace. The day's work being per- 
formed, the negroes assembled in their chapels, and 
kneeled in silent prayer; and while thus waiting 
upon God, the clock struck twelve, and launched 
eight hundred thousand slaves into freedom, when 
they arose and sung, ''Praise God, from whom all 
blessings flow." Nine years after, at the Centenary 
of Methodism, eighty-three missionaries reported 



190 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



42,928 members, proving the Gospel to be t"he power 
of God to save, and emancipation to be safe and 
profitable to all concerned. These missions now 
embrace 92 traveling ministers, and 44,014 members. 
(See statistics of Protestant Missionary Societies for 
1872-3.) 

The Nova Scotia Mission proved alike successful, 
and has been lately merged in the Methodist Church 
of Canada, a wise combination of several branches of 
the Methodist family, aggregating 1,004 traveling 
ministers, and 102,887 members. 

Of the mission opened in New York, we need 
hardly speak here. Its proceedings and results will 
occupy the larger part of this volume. It is enough 
to say that the child has never dishonored her 
British mother, or become alienated in her affec- 
tions, though she long since outstripped her in 
numbers. 

MISSION TO INDIA. 

Having successfully inaugurated these and other 
missions. Dr. Coke turned his attention to India, 
which had been upon his heart for several years. 
That pagan country had singularly fallen under the 
control of the British Government. Knowing* the 
poverty of the Methodists, he at first thought of 
going out as a bishop of the established Church; but 
failing in this project, he struck for a Methodist mis- 
sion. The Chief-justice of Ceylon had indicated a 
desire for this very thing, which naturally turned the 
thoughts of the doctor toward that point, and espe- 
cially as the East India Company Avas opposed to 
having any thing of the sort within their corporate 



MISSIONS. 



191 



territory. But the enterprise was not approved by 
many of his associates. They thought it was prema- 
ture. They needed Dr. Coke at home to take care 
of the missions aheady estabHshed. He had always 
led in this department of effort, and it was difficult 
to see how his place could be filled. But having 
made all his arrangements to go, he appeared before 
the conference with them in 181 3, in the sixty-seventh 
year of his age. ''He had crossed the Atlantic 
eighteen times for missionary purposes, yet his 
godly ardor was unabated, and his conviction of the 
truth of Christianity and of its importance to man- 
kind was increasingly strong and controlling. Some 
of the brethren, considering his advanced age, the 
difficulties connected with the undertaking, and the 
serious inconvenience the missions already in exist- 
ence would experience in consequence of his depart- 
ure, attempted to dissuade him from the enterprise, 
desirable as they confessed it to be. He heard their 
reasonings and remonstrances, and then, bursting 
into tears, he exclaimed, in a manner which they 
could not resist, ' If you will not let me go, you will 
break my heart.' This settled the question, and all 
opposition was withdrawn, and this honored patron 
and friend of missions, accompanied by seven others, 
embarked for the East, in December, 1 8 13. On the 
third day of May following he was found dead in his 
cabin, having expired, it was believed, in a fit of 
apoplexy. Thus ended the life and labors of this 
estimable man, whose name will ever be remembered 
in honorable association with modern missions. Next 
to Mr. Wesley, no man was ever connected with the 
Methodist body who contributed more to extend the 



192 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



blessings of Christianity among mankind." (Cent, 
of Methodism, p. 162.) 

He was nearly forty years in the ministry, pay- 
ing his own expenses, and giving all his considerable 
patrimony to the cause. He made some mistakes 
and failures, but more successes ; suggested to Mr. 
Wesley his Deed of Declaration for the perpetuity 
of English Methodism ; organized the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in America, established missions 
in the West Indies, Africa, and Asia, and did many 
other notable things that must hold his honored name 
in lasting remembrance. 

A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF MISSIONS. 

This calamity, however, did not frustrate the 
enterprise. The body of Dr. Coke was committed 
to the deep ; but his associates continued their voy- 
age, and laid the foundation of the mission at Ceylon, 
and on the continent of India, which has since at- 
tracted much attention. And, strange as it may 
seem, the missionary spirit received a new impulse 
at home. The connection had been relying upon one 
man ; but now that he was no more, all seemed to 
feel their responsibility, and rallied in support of the 
cause for which their venerated father and friend had 
given his fortune and his life. 

And here we find the opening of a new era in 
the history of Wesley^n missions. The necessities 
of the cause suggested to Rev. George Morley, su- 
perintendent of the Leeds Circuit, the idea of a mis- 
sionary society in that town, by means of a public 
meeting. Rev. Richard Watson and James Buckley 
were appointed to preach, and Thomas Thompson, 



MISSIONS. 



Esq., a member of Parliament, to preside. The 
meeting attracted general attention, and gave a pow- 
erful impulse to the cause. Similar meetings were 
now the order of the day, and followed each other in 
quick succession, ''till the Methodist congregations, 
from the Land's End to the Tweed, caught the 
sacred flame." 

In 18 15 the conference appointed a board of lay 
managers, and made Jabez Bunting, James Taylor, 
and Richard Watson, secretaries. Under their effi- 
cient agency the Wesleyan Missionary Society was 
organized in 18 18, and gave new life and power to 
the missionary cause. It soon after established its 
head-quarters in London, from which it has since dis- 
pensed its blessings to the heathen world. Revs. 
George T. Perks, M. A., and Luke H. Wiseman, 
are at present its general secretaries, while Rev. 
William Arthur, M. A., holds the position of hon- 
orary secretary in view of his long and faithful serv- 
ices. The Wesleyan Connection has also another 
society for domestic purposes, called *'The Home 
Mission and Contingent Fund," under the secretarial 
supervision of Revs. Charles Prest and John Bond. 
This society raised in 1874 about ;^ 122, 000, while 
the other raised for foreign missions a little less than 
13,000, aggregating nearly ;^640,ooo to the mis- 
sionary cause. 

The missionaries to India, bereft of their honored 
leader, reached Ceylon in June, 18 14, and were cor- 
dially received by the officers of the Government. 
Rev. Thomas H. Squann opened the service with 
the text, '*We are come as far as to you, also, in 
preaching the Gospel of Christ." Lord Walsworth, 

17 



194 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



commander of the garrison, was deeply awakened, 
and the same evening, kneehng in prayer with the 
missionaries, found peace in beheving. A native was 
also awakened by the same sermon, and became the 
first native Methodist preacher in Asia. 

From this point the missionaries sallied forth, 
preaching through interpreters, and many were con- 
verted. Among them were several priests. Rev. 
Mr. Harvard, being invited into the temple of one 
who was awakened, preached before the idol, taking 
for his text, ''We know that an idol is nothing in the 
world, and that there is none other God but one." 
Thus the work proved an immediate success, and 
was strengthened by English and native missionaries, 
from whom, under God, Buddhism and other forms 
of idolatry received a powerful blow. In 1839, they 
reported twenty-one missionary stations, forty-three 
missionaries, and about twelve hundred members. 

OTHER MISSIONS ESTABLISHED. 

Missions were also established and sustained in 
Southern and Western Africa, with much labor and 
sacrifice. Mr. Shepstone, who had been an indefati- 
gable missionary in Southern Africa for over forty 
years, has recently entered into his rest, leaving be- 
hind him traces of a noble life. 

Oceanica, formerly of little account among the 
nations, is now a New World of itself, to which the 
tribes of Europe are going in considerable numbers. 
It was sunk in the lowest depths of degradation, and 
practiced about every crime known to heathenism. 
New South Wales was appropriated to the occu- 
pancy of criminals banished from England, who soon 



MISSIONS. 



formed the major part of the community. Among 
the few virtuous famihes that had found their way to 
the country, there were several Methodists, who 
formed the first class in Austraha, March 6, 18 12. 
This was soon expanded into three, two at Sidney, 
and the other at Windsor, one of which was led by 
an Irishman wdio had been converted through Meth- 
odist agency while waiting in prison for execution. 
His sentence being afterward commuted, he was 
transferred to this colony, with a Bible in his hands, 
the gift of his Methodist advisers at home. Being 
a man of intelligence, he began at once to let his 
new light shine among the people, and became the 
first Methodist preacher in that island country. Ap- 
plication was immediately made to the Missionary 
Committee of England, when Rev. Samuel Leigh 
was delegated to that field, and arrived at Port Jack- 
son, August 10, 18 1 5. This was the beginning of 
the work, which has lately developed into four annual 
conferences, namely: the Sidney, the Victoria and 
Tasmania, South Australia, and New Zealand, which 
meet in General Conference by delegates once in 
three years, and are all subject to its direction. The 
first meeting of this body thus constituted was ar- 
ranged by previous action to be held in the city of 
Melbourne, May, 1875. They have three colleges — 
the Methodist College in Victoria, Newington Col- 
lege in Sidney, and the Prince Albert College in 
South Australia — formed after the models of this 
country, and give a first-class education for the high- 
est positions. They have 348 traveling preachers, 
1,438 local preachers, and 66,6'i6 members, 922 Sun- 
day-schools, and 59,185 scholars. They have also 



196 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



arrangements for printing and other necessities, in 
imitation of the Wesleyan Connection. 

How marvelous are the ways of Providence ! 
When Mr. Leigh first went to New Zealand he 
found himself surrounded by a horde of hungry 
cannibals. In one village he saw twelve human bod- 
ies tattooed and arranged along the way. Another 
missionary found several chiefs roasting a slave be- 
tween two logs. The work of the missionaries was 
resisted and overthrown several times, when they had 
to flee for their lives. So late as 1830, after ten 
years of labor and suffering, the mission seemed at 
some points almost a failure; but God came to their 
^ help, and it triumphed. Now, cannibalism is en- 
tirely done away, most of the inhabitants can read 
and write, the arts of civilization are generally 
adopted, the Lord's day is religiously observed, all 
of which has been effected by the revival of God's 
work in the conviction and conversion of souls. 
Even kings have bowed down and become class- 
leaders and preachers. 

We know of no work in any age or country that 
shows the power of the Gospel to elevate society 
more clearly or forcibly than this. A proper pres- 
entation of its achievements will do more to over- 
throw infidelity than any fine-spun arguments that 
can be constructed. But we have not room for 
further detail here. 

Methodism beginning its work in prisons, among 
the vilest of men, and conveying it to the lowest of 
civilized society, Avho were hardly as impressible as 
felons, condemned to death or banishment, and then 
pushing out among polygamists, cannibals, and idol- 



MISSIONS. 



aters, has demonstrated the salvability of all classes 
of men by the Gospel of Christ. After what has 
been accomplished by these experiments, no one 
needs hesitate a moment to undertake the Christiani- 
zation of any people under heaven; nor should we be 
discouraged by any opposition, or temporary defeat. 

The missions under the immediate control of the 
Wesleyan Missionary Committee and the British Con- 
ference in Europe, India, China, South and West 
Africa, and the West Indies, embrace 908 principal 
stations; 6,963 chapels and other preaching places; 
1,213 ministers and assistant missionaries; 4,717 paid 
agents, catechists, interpreters, etc.; 25,043 unpaid 
teachers; 173,551 Church members; 16,518 proba- 
tioners; 261,983 scholars; and four printing estab- 
lishments. (Connectional Year-book for 1874, 
page 160.) 

THE WORK AT HOME. 

These efforts abroad seem not to have retarded 
the work at home, as many predicted. Considering 
the attitude of English Methodists, they have ad- 
vanced with reasonable rapidity. Unlike Dissenters, 
they have been liberally denounced by all parties, by 
Churchmen for being Dissenters, and by Dissenters 
for their leanings toward the Church. But every 
weapon raised against them has failed. An attempt 
to overthrow Wesley's Deed, confirmed it forever. 
A vicious scheme to take away their licenses to 
preach gave them mo?r license. Attacks upon their 
doctrines and leading men have not succeeded any 
better. Both survived the storm, and even shone 
the brighter for the shadow that was cast upon them. 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



They have increased and sustained all their various 
appliances nobly. 

In the progress of events they have been able to 
adopt measures for the full support of all their itiner- 
ant ministers, whether in effective service or superan- 
nuated ; and years have elapsed since one had to fear 
the want of bread in entering their ministry. This 
has, no doubt, operated favorably on the cause. 
Men, good and true, have been secured to the work 
who might have spent their energies in a less useful 
way had the idea of becoming itinerants been iden- 
tified with that of starvation or suffering the want 
of the necessaries, of life. To enter a ministry, even 
with a lucid conviction of a call to preach, in the 
certain prospect of poverty and dependence, and per- 
haps of great suffering therefrom, requires more grace 
than men generally enjoy. 

Where there is one who will do it, Ave apprehend 
there are many who, though constrained by conscience 
to preach the Gospel, would impose some restrictions 
upon their preferences, and, as a matter of apparent 
necessity, enter the work in another branch of the 
Church, where their supplies would be more liberal 
and sure. We believe Methodism in America for- 
merly lost many noble men, whose influence would 
greatly have accelerated the growth of the Church — 
men of piety and talent — merely by the paucity of 
the support she then afforded. She may have been 
saved, by this means, from the curse of a hireling 
ministry — a ministry that seeks the fleece and not the 
flock. But we apprehend the losses have greatly ex- 
ceeded the gains. 

By providing surely for their ministers, not only 



MISSIONS. 



while in effective service, but when disabled by sick- 
ness or old age, the Wesleyans have been enabled 
to select their men for the itinerant service. The 
supply of candidates is always abundant, though 
they seldom receive married men, unless their wives 
and children are provided for from other sources. 
They have also been enabled to hold them rigidly to 
the work when received, and make them feel that 
they must be efficient or retire. And, besides, the 
people, paying the full amount required, are allowed 
to be more rigid in their claims than would be mod- 
est if they had but half fed their preachers. The ad- 
vantages are, indeed, numerous, and the Wesleyans 
have been reaping them for many years. 

METHODISM IN IRELAND. 

We have already referred to the introduction of 
Methodism into Ireland, and the establishment of the 
Irish Conference. Mr. Wesley took a lively interest 
in that people, and visited them personally forty-two 
times. Dr. Coke was also there often, and presided 
in their conference some eighteen years, and contrib- 
uted largely in money and labor to their welfare. 
To human apprehension it was not a very inviting 
field, on account of its Popish proclivities. But Wes- 
ley considered the Gospel equal to the work it was 
designed to effect, and moved on Popery as he would 
on any other sin, "nothing doubting." Of course 
he was resisted, but God worked in his own way. 
At first all the preachers were English, and labored 
under a disadvantage in getting at the people. But 
it was not long before some of the natives were 
converted and commenced preaching. During the 



200 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



rebellion, the preachers and their followers were 
objects of special hatred, not only for their relig- 
ion, but their loyalty. They were imprisoned, tor- 
tured, and murdered, in a most shocking manner. 
The conference of 1798 wrote, "Never did we expect 
to see so awful a day as we now behold ! The scenes 
of carnage and desolation which open to our view 
in every part of the land are truly affecting; we can 
not help crying, 'O God, shorten the day of our 
calamity, or no flesh can be saved!' To attempt a 
description of our deplorable state would be vain in- 
deed. Suffice it to say, that loss of trade, breach of 
confidence, fear of assassination, towns burned, coun- 
ties laid waste, houses for miles without an inhabitant, 
and the air tainted with the stench of thousands of 
carcasses, form some outline of the melancholy picture 
of our times." 

Dr. Coke, taking advantage of their loyalty, did 
them good service with the civil authorities. Be- 
sides, the Lord called several natives into the min- 
istry, who attracted much attention, and spread the 
new plan of salvation wherever they v/ent. One 
Bartly Campbell, somehow, fell under conviction, 
and went to his priest, who put him upon a course 
of penances, to no effect. After much struggling he 
made a pilgrimage to Loughbery, which was re- 
garded as a perfect cure for sin, but only grew more 
distressed. Calling upon the priest again, who had 
already absolved him, the following conversation oc- 
curred : "Did I not give you absolution?" "You 
did, father." "And do you deny the authority of 
the Church?" "By no means; but my soul is in 
misery. What shall I do?" "Do!" exclaimed his 



MISSIONS. 



201 



holiness, *'why, go to bed and sleep." ''Sleep,'* 
replied the poor sufferer: "no, father; perhaps I may 
awake in hell." This so enraged the pious father 
that he was about to try the virtue of his horsewhip, 
when his penitent child hurried away and prostrated 
himself before God without the aid of saint or priest, 
and found Jesus precious to his soul. Happy in his 
first love, he went among the crawling pilgrims, suf- 
fering and bleeding around the purifying spot, and 
pointed them to the Lamb of God as the sinner's only 
hope. Though soon driven away, he told "the 
story of Jesus and his love" most effectually. Mr. 
Moore says of him, forty years after, that he "could 
not be satisfied with any meeting where none were 
convinced of sin, or enabled to rejoice in God," 
showing that he had the right idea of religious work. 
If all Christians felt like Campbell, dead meetings and 
useless service would not be so common as they are. 

Gideon Ouseley was another native preacher, full 
of faith and power for more than fifty years. He for- 
sook more for Christ than most men. He was hon- 
orably connected and well educated, and in good 
condition to meet the emergencies of the hour, and 
he had courage enough to take advantage of every 
opportunity to do good. One of his methods was to^ 
kneel among the crowd at mass and translate and 
apply the Latin prayers to the people, saying, 
"Listen to that." On one such occasion both priest 
and people were deeply affected, and as he mounted 
his horse to leave, the people inquired of their priest, 
"Father, who is that?" to which the priest replied, 
"I don't know; he is not a man at all — he is an 
angel; no man could do what he has done." 



202 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



One writer, speaking of Charles Graham and 
Ouseley, who traveled much together, says: "The 
mighty power of God accompanied their word with 
such demonstrative evidence as I have never known, 
or, indeed, have heard of. I have been present in fairs 
and markets while these two blessed men of God, 
with burning zeal and apostolic ardor, pointed hun- 
dreds and thousands to the Lamb of God that taketh 
away the sin of the world. And I have seen the 
aged and the young falling prostrate in the most 
public places of concourse, cut to the heart. 
I have known scores of these poor penitents stand up 
and witness a good confession; and, blessed be God! 
hundreds of them now adorn the Gospel of Christ 
Jesus." 

These men would thus preach four or five times a 
day, — every- where, and to the worst classes of people. 
They were often insulted and mobbed ; but knowing 
the Irish language, and possessing true Irish wit, 
they were seldom embarrassed. Then, having been 
trained papists, they understood how to meet the 
whims of Romanists ; and preaching a part of the same 
sermons in English and another part in Irish, they 
commanded a crowd of hearers. William Hamilton 
was a different preacher, but admirably adapted to 
this kind of work. He said he never had sounder 
sleep than after preaching three or four times a day, 
sitting on his horse amid thousands of noisy papists, 
though it was sometimes on a bed with a dog behind 
him, and the sow and her litter underneath. But, he 
adds, ''The conversion of many papists made up for 
all our troubles." 

The success of this mission was wonderful, but it 



MISSIONS. 



203 



was not for Ireland so much as for America and other 
countries. With all its prosperity, for many years it 
declined in numbers, owing to the immigration of 
tens of thousands of its members, chiefly to America, 
breaking up whole societies, and so reducing others 
that they were comparatively helpless. But the 
British Conference stood by them; and within a few 
years American Methodists have made some little re- 
turn in funds for their continual contributions of men 
and means to this country. The Irish Conference at 
present embraces 152 traveling preachers, 760 local 
preachers, and 20,740 members. It is a permanent 
establishment, provided for by Wesley's Deed of 
Declaration. One-tenth of the legal hundred com- 
posing the British Conference are nominated by the 
Irish Conference, and its acts, when duly confirmed, 
are of equal force and validity to those of the British 
Conference. (Year-Book for 1874, P- ^^•) 
two colleges — one in Belfast, and the other in Dublin — 
which afford respectable facilities for the education 
of the youth under its influence. 

MORE TROUBLE ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS. 

The agitation of this Subject in England for seven 
years after Mr. Wesley's death, before mentioned, 
made but little impression upon the societies in Ire- 
land, and it was hoped that they would entirely 
escape it. And they did for several years, particu- 
larly as they had been well served by one Adam 
Averell, a regular clergyman of the Church of Eng- 
land, who had early become a Methodist, and was 
twice elected president of the conference. He was a 
true Christian, but more CJutrchish than Wesley 



204 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



himself. Hence, when the societies began to petition 
the conference in 1810, asking that they might have 
the sacraments from their own preachers, he was 
alarmed, and took strong ground against it. The con- 
ference, however, voted 62 in favor of the measure, 
to 24 against it ; but did not carry it into effect for two 
years, when it adopted the English * ' Plan of Pacifica- 
tion, " and allowed the sacraments to be administered 
in eight of the circuits, provided that two-thirds of 
the stewards and leaders should demand them, etc.; 
the vote to be taken without agitation. Mr. Averell 
and his sympathizers opposed the movement in open 
array, and carried the discussion into the societies, as 
if heaven itself was at stake. Many of the chapels 
were closed to the conference, which led- to debates, 
lawsuits, and other evils that can be easily imagined, 
and finally to a new organization by Mr. Averell, on 
pretense of replacing Methodism on its original 
basis in Ireland," called ''Primitive Methodists;' 
adopting the discipline of the English Primitives, 
organized in Staffordshire, in 18 10. Only one of the 
ministers of the conference besides himself left it; 
but many of the members did, and greatly weakened 
the body, and embarrassed it by imposing upon the 
societies heavy expenses. For four years following, 
the conference reported a decrease of members, 
reaching, in 18 17, about 7,000. But, two years after, 
the tide turned again, and it reported an increase of 
three thousand. In 18 19 the Primitives reported 
12,000 members, most of whom they had taken- from 
the societies. They have less now, though they 
have surrendered the point of original dispute, and 
allow their preachers, in full connection, to administer 



MISSIONS. 



205 



the sacraments. But whatever their status, we 
are dehghted to say that they are in process of 
reunion with their old associates. The matter has 
been under consideration by two large and able com- 
mittees, one from each body, who report very favor- 
ably of the desired consummation. {Irish Evangelist^ 
March i, 1875.) 

This schism furnishes another instance of reckless 
inconsistency in a sincere, good man. Averell had 
been breaking the rules of the Established Church 
ever since he turned Methodist. He had been or- 
dained deacon only, and yet had been administering 
the sacraments for years, squarely against Church 
order. Besides, he knew Wesley and the British 
Conference had provided for the sacraments by their 
preachers in several instances, and had never objected 
to it so far as we know. But all at once he be- 
comes horrified at the idea of other ministers doing 
the same thing, and must needs break down the con- 
nection in support of a mere ceremonial ''fable,'^ 
which he had practically discarded, and which he 
trampled under foot to the end of his life. It sug- 
gests also the folly of putting men into responsible 
positions before we have tried them. Mr. Averell 
was a relative of Dr. Averell, Lord Bishop of Lim- 
erick, and was taken into the conference without any 
probation, and put in the front rank. He was re- 
garded as a great acquisition, but hurt Methodism 
vastly more than he helped it. Methodism has suf- 
fered enough from this kind of men and policy, both 
in the ministry and laity, to render it extremely 
careful. What have often seemed to be our greatest 
blessings, have turned out to be curses in disguise. 



206 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



BRYANITES OR BIBLE CHRISTIANS. 

This is the title of another new sect which resuked 
from a disturbance created by one Wilham O' Bryan, 
a local preacher. Having been rebuked for various 
extravagances in reference to preaching and supporting 
the ministry, he withdrew from the connection, and 
organized a new society under the imposing title of 
Bible Christian Connection." There is a striking 
resemblance between this body and the Primitives. 
It admits lay delegates to its conferences in equal 
proportion to its ministers, whereas the Primitives 
allow two to one. This connection reported, in 
1874, 1,991 travehng and local preachers, and 26,878 
members. 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



207 



CHAPTER XI. 

ORIGIN OF OUR STANDARD BOOKS — OTHER SECESSIONS — 

CENTENARY OF METHODISM NUMBERS AT THE DEATH 

OF WESLEY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS CONFERENCE 

OFFICE AND BOOK-ROOM. 

METHODISM has been very much indebted 
to its authors — to Wesley for many mis- 
cellaneous volumes, Fletcher for his incomparable 
''Checks," Benson and Clarke for their commenta- 
ries and other works, and Watson for his "Insti- 
tutes," etc., all of which have contributed largely to 
the progress of the cause. Fletcher was occupied 
seven years with his ''Checks," and Clarke forty 
years with his commentaries, completing them in 
1826, in the sixty-sixth year of his age and the 
forty-fourth of his ministry. Spending six years 
more in such literary labors as his age and infirmities 
permitted, they afforded him a comfortable support. 
Benson gave the products of his books to the 
connection. Great as was the influence of these 
wonderful men during their lives, they have accom- 
plished more since by their books, being read and 
known of millions in both hemispheres. 

ANOTHER SECESSION. 

We have already referred to the establishment 
of the'ological institutions. The measure was not 



2o8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



adopted without creating some alarm for the purity 
and simpHcity of Methodism. Dr. Samuel Warren 
was on the committee which made the arrangements ; 
but, being nominated to no office, he arrayed him- 
self against the whole enterprise and the Methodist 
polity generally, and formed a party to oppose both. 
His course was so violent and disorderly, the district 
meeting suspended him and put Dr. Newton in his 
place on the circuit, whereupon he appealed to the 
courts, lost his case, and elicited an opinion from 
Vice-Chancellor Shadwell which has been of great 
value to the connection. "It is my firm belief," he 
said, ''that to that body [the Wesleyan Methodists] 
we are indebted for a large portion of the religious 
feeling which exists among the general body of the 
community, not only of this country, but through- 
out the great portion of the civilized world besides. 
When, also, I recollect that the society owes its ori- 
gin and first formation to an individual so eminently 
distinguished as the late John Wesley, and when I 
remember that from time to time have arisen out of 
this body some of the most ^ble and distinguished 
individuals that ever graced and ornamented any so- 
ciety Avhatever — I may name one for all. Dr. Adam 
Clarke — I must come to the conclusion that no per- 
sons who have any proper understanding of what 
religion is, and regard for it, can look upon the 
general body of the Wesleyan Methodists without 
the most affectionate interest and concern." 

Warren, however, carried the case to the highest 
court in the realm, which, after thorough investiga- 
tion, was decided against him. He, notwithstand- 
ing, appealed to the conference, which, after hearing 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



209 



him in his own defense, pronounced him expelled. 
Gathering about him all the malcontents he could 
control, he formed a new Church, called the ''As- 
sociate Methodists," or Warrenites, in 1834, Avhich 
soon claimed to number 20,000 members. The doc- 
tor tried for a while to manage the discordant ele- 
ments he had brought together, but, finding more 
difficulties than he had anticipated, took refuge in 
the Church of England, and served a small congre- 
gation in Manchester. The little band of his fol- 
lowers struggled on for several years Avithout much 
success, and then combined with other factional 
parties and organized the "United Methodist Free 
Church," which at present claims 358 itinerant 
preachers and 66,909 members. 

The loss to the connection was no doubt consid- 
erable, though it declined less than one thousand 
members the next year after the secession, and re- 
ported respectable gains for the years following; but 
these losses were partially, at least, compensated by 
some gain — the conference and people were more 
united than ever, and the legality of their economy 
was thoroughly established. Besides, the discussion 
revealing the most objectionable features of their pru- 
dential arrangements, it led to a Avise modification 
of them in favor of the masses of the preachers and 
people, which added much strength and harmony to 
the body. 

RELATIONS TO THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

We have already referred to the fraternal visit 
of Dr. Emory to the British Conference, in 1820. 
The war of 1776 suspended the pleasant intercourse 

18 



210 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



between the two branches of the one connection, and 
led to the organization of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church as an independent body. The war of 1812 
operated to keep the two connections further apart 
than was desirable; but the visit of Dr. Emory com- 
menced a fraternal intercourse which has been main- 
tained ever since. 

CENTENARY OF METHODISM. 

The centennial anniversary of Methodism oc- 
curred in 1839, ^^'^^ 3. memorable event. It 
afforded a fit opportunity for reviewing all the way 
in which it had been led, and to strike out new and 
broader plans of usefulness. Including Canada, the 
upper part of which had lately been taken under its 
care, the conference embraced within its jurisdiction 
1,635 traveling ministers and 420,198 members, hav- 
ing had an average annual increase of nearly ten 
thousand members for the last fourteen years. It 
Avas therefore in good condition for the anniversary. 

The arrangements were made by a committee of 
the conference to hold meetings all through the con- 
nection, and, if possible, raise i^8o,ooo, or ^400,000, 
for different connectional objects, as a thank offering 
to God. But it soon appeared that these figures 
were too low, the whole amount being paid in cash, 
besides much more subscribed, before they had begun 
in many places. The enthusiasm was intense. The 
people contributed from real heartfelt gratitude in a 
surprising manner, until they had reached the round 

sum of ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOL- 
LARS. This was appropriated i. To the theological 
institutions; 2. For the centenary buildings in Lon- 



METHODIST INS TITUTIONS. 



211 



don, and new missionary rooms and a mission ship; 3. 
To the relief of distressed chapels; 4. To the better 
support of worn-out preachers and preachers' widows; 

5. For the building of a centenary chapel in Dublin; 

6. To the Education Committee. 

This financial endowment of so many interests 
could but inspire a right feeling for the spiritual and 
public part of the celebration, which occurred Octo- 
ber 25, 1839. Methodists every-where felt the grate- 
ful impulse, and participated in the general joy. The 
Methodist Episcopal Church in this country, though 
it was not its centenary year exactly, raised six 
hundred tJiousand dollars, and joined in the jubilee. 
It was a grand demonstration, and made an impres- 
sion on other denominations as to the power of 
Methodism that they had never felt before. Gather- 
ing up as it did, in sermons and addresses, the whole 
history of the Methodist movement from the begin- 
ning, with its direct and collateral influence on the 
social, political, and religious life of the Anglo-saxon 
race, it flung it broadcast over the world. It was 
thus seen ''that most of the great religious and phi- 
lanthropic institutions, which now chiefly embrace 
the moral power of Protestantism — the Bible Society, 
the Tract Society, the modern Missionary Society, 
the Sunday-school, as an agency of the Church — 
sprung directly or indirectly from the influence of 
the movement." Indeed, it was conceded by a 
Churchman that *'Mr. Wesley started them all." 
He says, *'The Church and the world were alike 
asleep ; he sounded the trumpet and awoke the Church 
to work." 

At the death of Wesley his followers numbered 



212 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



about 500 preachers and 140,000 members. At the 
centenary, about fifty years after his death, they had 
increased to 5,200 traveHng preachers, and 1,171,000 
members. Since then, during the last thirty-six 
years, they have muhipHed, all told, to 24,866 itiner- 
ant preachers, and 3,928,512 members, and have in- 
creased more in their appliances than in numbers. 

OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS. 

The Centenary Anniversary having passed, the 
connection seemed to enjoy remarkable prosperity, 
under the influential lead of Dr. Bunting and a few 
other congenial spirits, whose piety and wisdom were 
generally acknowledged. But this order of things 
did not please certain aspirants, who thought them- 
selves entitled to more consideration than was 
awarded to them. They were particularly hostile to 
the power of the conference and its leaders, and after 
much private conversation, they attacked both in cer- 
tain "fly sheets" or tracts, in a most merciless man- 
ner. Messrs. Everett, Dunn, and Griffith, the leaders 
of the movement were arraigned and expelled. This 
created a deep sympathy for them, which they took 
advantage of to widen the breach, and, if possible, 
break down the connection. The result Avas, of 
course, another secession, and a new experiment in 
Church organization, which occurred about 1850. 
The connection lost by these means from sixty thous- 
and to one hundred thousand members, and the new 
party brought upon themselves immense trouble and 
mortification, which seems not to have been com- 
pensated by any improvement in their own personal 
welfare or the work of God. 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



213 



We have referred to these painful divisions for the 
purpose of erecting a beacon of warning to those who 
may come after. They speak, to all concerned, in a 
language that can not be misunderstood. The great 
and the strong should learn not to despise the weak 
and foolish, but to cherish them as a mother her 
children. If they pray, hear them patiently, and treat 
them kindly. Never stand for technicalities, where 
the peace of the Church and the welfare of souls is at 
stake. If they compel you to go a mile, go with 
them twain," if you can do so with a good con- 
science. It is magnanimous to be conciliatory. If 
you can not comply with their wishes, respect them, 
however unreasonable. This may influence them to 
love you, though they may still think you in error. 

The disaffected should also learn to be modest in 
their demands, and patient under defeat. The fact 
that they are in the minority is presumptive evidence 
that their views are erroneous. Their brethren are 
as likely to be wise and good as themselves. If they 
are not, which is possible, they are in no colidition 
to be hurried, much less driven. Besides, measures 
carried in a bad spirit, and by artifice, will not pros- 
per. Let them maintain their integrity, do their 
duty in meekness and faith, and leave the result with 
God. But never raise a storm to gratify self, and 
punish opponents. Especially, never be so deluded 
as to believe that they can effect much for religion by 
indulging in evil speaking or rancorous agitation. 

EDUCATIONAL OPERATIONS. 

Methodism, being cradled in a university, natur- 
ally invoked education to aid her enterprise. The 



214 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



year of its organic birth, 1739, gave beginning to its 
first school (at Kingswood), for the training of poor 
children. This was modified and continued for va- 
rious purposes until the year 185 1, when it was 
superseded by the erection of fine buildings at Kings- 
wood, near Bath, and designated the ' ' New Kings- 
wood school." It is under the direction of a com- 
mittee of ministers and laymen annually appointed 
by the conference. This becoming insufficient in its 
former proportions, the Woodhouse Grove estate was 
purchased, and, being enlarged and adjusted to school 
purposes, was opened in 18 12. These schools are 
about to be placed under one government and one 
head master. Private arrangements, too, were 
adopted some years ago for the education of minis- 
ters' daughters, which culminated in the opening of 
the ''Five Elms," in 1869. The following year this 
school was tranferred to the connection, and another 
house was rented, at Beecholme. Trinity Hall, at 
Southport, a private school for similar purposes, was 
presented to the connection in 1871, Avhich has ac- 
commodated sixty pupils the last year. The whole 
number of ministers' children receiving instruction 
in these several establishments is 388 — 250 boys at 
New Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove, and 138 girls 
at the other three places named — while 306 boys and 
girls have received an educational allowance at 
home, making a total cost for the year of some 
feo,75o. 

The "Wesleyan Educational Committee" dates 
back to 1838, and consists of twenty-four ministers 
and twenty-four laymen. Its prime object was to 
promote the establishment of week day schools for 



METHODIST INS TITUTIONS. 



215 



children, and led to the erection of the Westminster 
Training College, for training teachers, at a cost of 
;^ 1 20, 000, of which the Government paid ;^37, 500. 
After making two enlargements, the premises were 
devoted to male students, and other buildings were 
erected at Battersea, costing nearly ;^8o,ooo. The 
Westminster College has 131 male students, and that 
at Battersea, 103 females. Besides these schools the 
committee reported, March, 1874, 906 day-schools, 
giving instruction to 178,717 scholars. 

THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS. 

At Mr. Wesley's first conference, held in 1744, 
the question was asked, *'Can we have a seminary 
for laborers?" and was answered, *'If God spares us 
till another conference." The same question was re- 
peated the next year, and answered, *'Not till God 
gives us a proper tutor." But no school for the pur- 
pose was established till some eighty years after — 
1834 — when the committee of the conference secured 
the ''Hoxton Academy," which had been used for 
a similar purpose by another denomination. These 
premises becoming insufficient, the Abney House, 
London, was rented in 1839, ^^^^ three years later 
convenient premises were secured at Didsbury, near 
Manchester, to which the first branch of the institu- 
tion was removed. 

Another establishment of the sort was started at 
Richmond, in 1841, and opened September 5, 1843. 
In 1864 this was sold out to the missionary com- 
mittee, and devoted exclusively to the education of 
missionaries. Needing further accommodations for 
the home work, a site was obtained at Headingly, 



2l6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



near Leeds, and, September 25, 1868, the Headingly 
Institution was opened, as a Seminary for Laborers, 
and has been very successful ever since. But in all 
these operations great care has been taken to avoid 
the introduction of men-made ministers. No one is 
allowed to enter these institutions until he has been 
acceptably employed as a local preacher, approved 
by the superintendent and quarterly-meeting of his 
circuit, examined and recommended by the district- 
meeting, and accepted by the conference. Then, 
instead of passing him directly to the active duties 
of the ministry, he may be placed under the training 
of one of these institutions, if deemed necessary. 

Thus the last conference accepted ninety-four 
candidates, of whom twelve were appointed to cir- 
cuits, twenty-five were sent to Richmond as mission- 
ary students, twenty-five to Headingly and Didsbury, 
and thirty- two were placed on the reserve list, subject 
to the call of the president. 

The aim is not to bring every one up to the 
same educational status, but to give each that train- 
ing which shall best adapt him to the work he is 
expected to" do. And that they may not depend 
alone on literary acquisitions for their prepara- 
tion, they are kept at work. Upward of eighty 
circuits were visited regularly by the students at 
Headingly last year, who held nearly three thousand 
services for preaching and prayer, besides out-door 
preaching, and visiting from house to house, thus 
giving the young men practice as well as theory. 
This arrangement seems entirely safe, and it can 
jiardly fail to be very useful Yet, in tracing the 
history of the conference during the eighty years in 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



217 



which it had no ''Seminary for laborers," we are 
surprised to find so many distinguished ministers, 
.called of God, and thrust out without much previous 
preparation, such as Mather, Thompson, Pawson, 
Bradburn, Coke, Benson, Moore, Clarke, and a host 
of others of the same class; and, as if these were 
not sufficient, God immediately called more of equal 
capacity, as Townley, Treffrey, Watson, Newton, 
Bunting, Bramwell, Dawson, and many more, who 
gave a new impetus to the work, and made them- 
selves immortal by their achievements. Such a body 
of able men was hardly ever known to exist in any 
Church at one time. Mr. Watson, speaking of Brad- 
burn, after walking twenty miles to hear him preach, 
said: ''I am not a very excitable subject, but Mr. 
Bradburn's preaching affected my whole frame; I felt 
the thrill to the extremity of my fingers, and my 
hair actually seemed to stand on end." Similar 
declarations were often made by others of his own 
preaching and addresses, to say nothing of his im- 
mortal "Institutes." 

Mr. Bunting was the first elected member of the 
Legal Conference," its president four times, and its 
secretary ten. But we have not room to record the 
grandeur of those wonderful men. Nor is it neces- 
sary: their praise is in all the Churches. 

It is also a noticeable circumstance that God 
should have called so many such men from the 
sources he did. It looks much like his call of Moses, 
the first apostles, and Saul of Tarsus. Wesley's 
followers were generally poor, ignorant, and unknown 
to the leading influences of society. His preachers 
sprang from the lower walks of life right into the 

19 



2l8 



HIST OR V OF METHODISM. 



ministry, and he recognized them at first much against 
his taste and ecclesiastical notions. Preaching was 
then a regular profession, requiring much preparation, 
ordination, etc. He naturally asked, therefore, ''Can 
we have a seminary for laborers?" In the absence of 
this necessity he looked to the Established Church, 
and welcomed its clergy to his conference without a 
probation. But God looked elsewhere, and brought 
him the needed preachers, theologians, and commen- 
tators, upon whose voluminous writings the Christian 
world of to-day is largely dependent for its best 
views of religious truth. 

Adam Clarke was a poor, dull boy,- made bright 
by the grace of God. Bunting was the son of a 
servant-girl, poor and persecuted, who was Avonder- 
fuUy benefited by a sermon from Richard Boardman, 
while preaching on his way to Bristol to embark for 
America, on the words: ''And Jabez was more 
honorable than his brethren," etc. (i Chron. iv, 9, 10.) 

About ten years after, she married William Bunt- 
rng, and called her first-born Jabez, in grateful re- 
membrance of Mr. Boardman's text. Samuel Brad- 
burn, the "Demosthenes" of the connection for 
forty years, was born at sea, in the Bay of Biscay, 
and trained to the shoemaker's trade. Robert New- 
ton, one of the most effective preachers and man- 
agers of any age, was born of poor agricultural 
parents on the sea-coast of Yorkshire, and born again 
in his father's house while kneeling in agony of spirit 
by the side of his penitent sister. He began to 
preach at once, when about fifteen years of age. 
Thus God chose "the weak things of the world to 
confound the things which are mighty." And the 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



219 



days of these miracles are not past. He is call- 
ing mighty men now, like Moody and Sankey and 
Taylor, who must not be trammeled with any pru- 
dential arrangements, so called. No educational 
requisitions should interfere to blockade these provi- 
dential supplies. 

SEMI-CONNECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

To the institutions we have named may be added 
several others, strictly Methodistic, but not under the 
complete control of the British Conference. One of 
these is 

The Wesley College, at Sheffield. It was pro- 
jected in 1836, and went into operation two years 
after, with grounds and buildings costing 150, 000, 
under the title of the Wesleyan Proprietary Grammar- 
scJiool. In 1844, it became an affiliated college of 
the University of London. The deed requires that 
the governor and chaplain shall be a Wesleyan min- 
ister, to be nominated by the directors and confirmed 
by the conference annually. It furnishes a pretty 
thorough preparatory training for the learned profes- 
sions, and sustains a good reputation. It received 
191 pupils during its last session. 

The Wesleyan College, at Taunton, was estab- 
lished in 1843, for the purpose of securing a sound 
literary and commercial education, with suitable re- 
ligious instruction, at a moderate expense. The 
president of the conference is by deed president of 
the college. It is supervised by a board of directors 
chosen by the proprietors and the superintendents of 
the Exeter District. Its resident governor and chap- 
lain must be a minister of the conference in full 



220 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



connection. Thomas Sibley, Esq., has been head 
master from its commencement. Since 1847, it has 
been connected by royal charter with the University 
of London, and students are prepared for the matric- 
ulation and degree examination of this university. 
The school is divided into three departments — the 
collegiate, the commercial, and the junior. The en- 
tire number of pupils during the last half-year was 
220. It is a beautiful establishment, and is growing 
in favor and usefulness. 

The Methodist College, at Belfast, was founded 
for general Methodist educational purposes in Ireland. 
It is a fine establishment, occupying about six acres, 
near the Queen's College, and cost ;^200,ooo. It has 
an endowment of 100, 000, with most of the desira- 
ble accompaniments of such an institution. It pre- 
pares students for the Wesleyan ministry, accommo- 
dates under-graduates and graduates of the Queen's 
University attending lectures, and furnishes education 
to the sons of Wesleyan ministers at a reduced rate. 
It also receives boys from the community generally, 
and prepares them for the universities, civil serv- 
ice, and mercantile life. Ladies and girls are also 
admitted. It can accommodate over one hundred 
boarders and three hundred day scholars, and its 
prospects are very encouraging. 

The Wesleyan Connectional School was estab- 
lished at Stephen's Green, Dublin, under the auspices 
of the Irish Conference, in 1845, particularly with 
reference to the sons of Methodists. The premises 
are held by a mixed board of ministers and laymen, 
and are subject to the conference. It numbered 152 
students at the close of the last year, which is all 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



221 



that can now be accommodated; but arrangements 
are being executed for an additional building in the 
same square, costing ;^50,000, half of which sum has 
been secured. 

A High-school at Cambridge is a new project 
for high-class education to have a connection with 
the conference in a certain proper way. The plans 
are all laid to purchase the Leys estate for 5,000. 
The first governing body, already elected, consists 
of eight ministers and eleven laymen. Cambridge, 
being one of the university towns of England, 
affords a very suitable location for such a school. 
The subscriptions to the enterprise promise well for 
its success. 

The last, but not least, of Wesleyan educational 
establishments, is ''The Children's Home," de- 
signed to shelter and educate homeless children. It 
has been in operation five years, and has done a 
noble work. It is divided into several branches. 
The one at London has 140 children receiving in- 
struction in letters and various departments of indus- 
try, such as printing, carpentering, shoe-making, 
dress-making, etc. At Edgeworth, Lancashire, is 
another branch, where they have a fine property. 
Canadian friends have purchased another at Ham- 
ilton, at a cost of ;^i 0,000, which comes under 
the general arrangement. Fifty children were sent 
thither in May, 1843, and forty boys have gone 
since. The Canadian government is so Avell pleased 
with the movement that it promises pecuniary aid. 
When the children are properly prepared, places are 
obtained for them. The report made to the "Edu- 
cation Committee of Review," July 24, 1874, says: 



222 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



During the eighteen months last past the hicome 
of the home has been ^71,835." 

Nothing certainly could be more in harmony with 
Wesley's whole spirit and life than this provision for 
poor children, and it furnishes a better guarantee for 
the future success of British Methodism than mag- 
nificent churches and splendid colleges, however de- 
sirable they may be. God has always shown special 
partiality for those nations and- Churches which have 
cared for his poor. Though Methodism began in a 
college, it struck at once for the poor and degraded 
to lift them up, and this has been its strength. The 
moment it turns aside from this work its prosperity 
is at an end. . 

CONFERENCE OFFICE AND BOOK-ROOM. 

Our outline of English Methodism will be radi- 
cally defective if we omit special reference to its 
publishing establishment. This originated with Mr. 
Wesley, who published and sold his own and other 
books which he deemed important to his noble work ; 
and he appropriated all the profits accruing there- 
from to the poor preachers and the cause of God. 
At his death he left his book-establishment, with all 
belonging to it, in trust for the sole use and bene- 
fit of the conference. Since then, its profits have 
been annually appropriated to needy and aged min- 
isters, the widows of ministers, and other benevolent 
objects. Its head-quarters are at No. 2 Castle Street, 
City Road, and 66 Paternoster Row, London. It 
publishes several periodicals, among which we find 
TJie Ainninian Maga::;inc, which was commenced 
by Mr. Wesley in 1777. It also issues a great vari- 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 223 

ety of books to meet the demands of the connection. 
It is under the management, at the present, of Rev. 
F. J. Jobson, D. D., book-steward; Rev. B. Frank- 
land, B. A., and Rev. B. Gregory, editors, subject 
to the conference, and intermediately to the book- 
committee, consisting of the officials and the super- 
intendents of the London Circuits, who usually meet 
on the first Monday of each month. The London 
Qaai'teidy Reviezv is not published by them, though 
it is conducted by Methodists in the interest of the 
connection. The same is true of the London Watch- 
man, and of the Methodist Recordei^, and of a new 
paper just started, called The Methodist, which will 
represent all classes of English Methodists. This 
establishment is a powerful agency for God and the 
denomination, and is another evidence of the pious 
forecast of its remarkable founder. 

ORGANISM OF BRITISH WESLEYAN CONNECTION. 

This being the mother Church of Methodism, 
from which all other Arminian Methodisms have di- 
rectly or indirectly sprung, we deem it appropriate 
to give an outline of its organism. The British An- 
nual Conference is its highest court and only legisla- 
tive body. It is composed of one Jnindred members, 
all of whom must be preachers and expounders of God s 
Word, under the care and direction of the conference, 
according to the "Deed of Declaration." The deed 
itself gave the names of the first hundred members, 
and provided for filling vacancies as they might 
occur by death, expulsion, resignation, superannua- 
tion, or otherwise. It can do business legally with 
forty members, and is required to continue its annual 



224 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



sessions not less than five days, nor more than three 
weeks. Its first session was held in 1791, a few 
months after Mr. Wesley's death. There being some 
feeling among the two hundred and twenty-six 
preachers not embraced in the ''legal hundred," the 
conference very wisely resolved that all the preachers 
in full connection should enjoy equal privileges with 
themselves, so far as the deed would permit. Prior 
to 1 8 14, vacancies were filled by seniority of service, 
thus avoiding all competition ; but the arrangement 
kept out some of the ablest men of the conference. 
The non-legal members are allowed to participate in 
the election of the president and secretary, and also to 
elect members to fill one-fourth of the occurring va- 
cancies. This brought Dr. Bunting into the confer- 
ence, who was the first elected member. Lately they 
have permitted them to fill every alternate vacancy, 
which is legal, provided the chartered hundred shall 
indorse their selection. Similar courtesy has also 
been extended to the Irish Conference, whereby it 
nominates one-te7itJi of the candidates to fill vacancies ; 
and its action in other respects, when duly con- 
firmed, is of equal authority with that of the British 
Conference. And this is all in beautiful conformity 
with Mr. Wesley's <iying entreaty; namely, "I be- 
seech you by the mercies of God that you never 
avail yourselves of the ' Deed of Declaration ' to 
assume any authority over your brethren ; but let all 
things go on among those itinerants who choose to 
remain together, exactly in the same manner as 
when I was with you, so far as circumstances will 
permit." 

Here, then, is the high court of jurisdiction among 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



225 



our British brethren, having charge of every interest 
connected with them, whether spiritual, temporal, or 
ecclesiastical, directing and controlling 3,500 travel- 
ing ministers, 27,327 local preachers, 628,460 mem- 
bers, and incidental matters involving tremendous 
responsibilities. But while the legal conference is 
the real center of power, it does very little of the 
work, this being distributed among subordinate agen- 
cies, from the president down to the youngest and 
poorest of its local classes. 

OF DISTRICT MEETINGS. 

These were instituted at the first meeting of the 
conference after Mr. Wesley's death, and embrace 
all the itinerant preachers on the district, whether in 
full connection or on trial, and they are required to 
attend the annual meetings, unless unavoidably pre- 
vented. These meetings rank second to the confer- 
ence in authority. During the transaction of financial 
business the stewards of the several circuits, the 
district treasurers of the Children's Fund and the 
Worn-out Ministers' Fund, the foreign missionary- 
district treasurer, the lay members of the district 
chapel sub-committee, and the lay treasurers of the 
Connectional Funds, are members of the meeting. 

Minor District Meetings are composed of the chair- 
man of the district and four ministers, who form a 
court for the settlement of differences that may arise 
among the preachers, and to try appeals from accused 
members of the society, and from superintendents, 
against the action or non-action of leaders' meetings. 
In all these cases the parties have the right of appeal 
to the annual district meeting. 



226 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

s 

Mixed District Meetings originated in disputes 
about the sacraments in 1794, and take cognizance 
of immoral conduct and heresies on the part of 
preachers, and consist of all the preachers of the dis- 
trict, and the trustees, stewards, and leaders of the 
circuit concerned. This meeting can only determine 
the guilt or innocence of the party suspected. If 
found guilty, however, he is removed from the circuit. 
The district meeting alone can finally determine 
the case. 

TJie Special District Meeting consists of all the 
ministers of the district, and, if desirable, four preach- 
ers from other districts, to be selected by the parties 
especially interested. The president of the confer- 
ence may preside if invited. This body convenes 
only on very special occasions. An appeal to the 
annual conference from its decisions is admissible. 

The Annual District Meeting, held in May, is 
purely administrative, embracing the examination of 
the preachers, the condition of the societies, candi- 
dates for the ministry, who, if approved, are recom- 
mended to the approaching conference. The collec- 
tions for the year are reported also, applications for 
permission to build chapels or schools considered and 
determined, and the preachers designated who may 
attend the conference. 

The Financial District Meeting looks after the tem- 
poral affairs of the district. 

TJie Circnit Quarterly Meeting is the chief local 
court, consisting of the ministers, stewards, leaders, 
local preachers, and trustees of the circuit, and has 
disciplinary powers, as well as the control of all the 
moneys raised for the support of the ministers of the 



METHODIST INSTITUTIONS. 



227 



circuit, and is required to furnish the necessary sup- 
phes. This is the grand board of finance, and has 
the sole right of petitioning the conference as to the 
appointment of ministers. 

Besides these meetings, they have leaders', local 
preachers', and trustees' meetings, involving certain 
responsibilities, indicated by their respective titles. 
But we find no bishops connected with any of these 
arrangements. Though Mr. Wesley ordained two . - 
superintendents which the conference might have 
recognized and employed, they preferred to elect 
their president annually, and have done so from the 
beginning. And they have not perished for the v\Aant 
of an episcopal head ; nor have they suffered for ordi- 
nation. Till 1836 they ordained without the imposi- 
tion of hands, and then, with the aid of our own 
delegate, Dr. Fisk, they adopted it for mere form's 
sake, not deeming it at all necessary. And they did it 
themselves, without the aid of a bishop, claiming, as 
we do, the indefeasible right of elders to ordain, and 
preferring this course to employing a bishop.. Which 
is the better Avay is a question about which good 
men may honestly differ. Whether bishops or presi- 
dents, they have no authority above any elder except 
that which is given them by their electors. Mr. 
Wesley, aiming to secure an efficient administration, 
required that members of the legal conference should 
drop out on becoming superannuated, and effective 
ones be put in their place, and the conference pre- 
fers to make a fresh choice for president every year. 

Nor do we find in this arrangement any mention 
of presiding elders. These are superseded in part by 
chairmen of districts, who are still pastors. They 



228 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



attend the annual district meeting, and some subor- 
dinate meetings, as occasion may require. The 
superintendent of the circuit performs another part of 
our presiding elder's duty, in holding the quarterly- 
meetings in his circuit. The more delicate and re- 
sponsible part of his work is provided for in another 
way, to be considered in the next chapter. 



CHURCH ECONOMY, 



229 



CHAPTER XII. 



THE APPOINTMENT OF THE PREACHERS HOW DONE 

NEGOTIATIONS SOUGHT OF THE BENEVOLENCES OF 

THE WESLEYANS CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



HE more difficult work, referred to in the close 



-A. of the last chapter, is that of appointing the 
preachers. Mr. Wesley did this, while he lived, at 
his own discretion, committing himself, however, to 
certain trustees not to keep one man in the same 
place more than two years in succession, except in 
case of revival, where longer continuance should be 
especially necessary. This was as far as he could go 
without seeming to array himself against Divine 
Providence. But his Deed of Declaration allowed of 
three years' continuance, though it did not define the 
manner of making the appointments. The legal con- 
ference, however, at first restricted the term to two 
years, except as before stated. It also provided for 
a "Stationing Committee," to prepare the appoint- 
ments. This was no accident, if it was a blunder, 
but a settled preference for the Presbyterial System. 
Mr. Wesley ordained Dr. Coke a superintendent or 
bishop in 1769, and Alexander Mather in 1787; and 
they were both present and fully empowered to per- 
form Episcopal functions, but were virtually dis- 
carded, though great and good men. Special effort 




230 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



was afterward made to inaugurate the Episcopal form 
of government, but it was a failure. 

The stationing committee was to be composed 
of one minister from each district, to be elected by 
the ministers of the district ; and they were required 
to meet at the place where the conference should sit 
three days in the week preceding the session, in order 
to prepare the appointments. That plan has been 
maintained to the present time with variations. The 
stationing committee now consists of the president 
and secretary of the conference ; the ex-president and 
four ministers appointed by the conference, together 
with one representative minister from each of the 
thirty-four districts, elected by the joint vote of the 
clerical and lay members of the district committee. 
How two thousand ministers can be satisfactorily 
stationed and changed from time to time seems to 
many quite unaccountable. Even Methodists, who 
have been accustomed to bishops and presiding elders, 
can hardly see how so delicate a work can be done 
without them. But our English brethren seem to 
move on very smoothly and give general satisfaction. 
And they do it, too, without requiring the abandon- 
ment of all Church and ministerial intermeddling, 
which is thought by some to be necessary with us. 
Indeed, they seek to have all parties in interest par- 
ticipate in making the appointments, not only by 
sharing in electing the stationing committee, but by 
negotiating and settling the appointments, so far as 
possible, before that committee shall meet. 

The conference at its last session ordained as 
follows : 

''Each representative of a district" (on the sta- 



CHURCH ECONOMY. 



231 



tioning committee) "is directed to send to the sec- 
retary of the conference, not latter than the 5th of 
July, in each year, upon a schedule to be provided 
by him, complete lists of the arrangements provis- 
ionally made for the stationing of the ministers in 
his district, the invitations accepted by ministers in 
his district to circuits in other districts, all ministers 
in his district for whonj no arrangement has been 
made ; from these lists the secretary shall compile 
and cause to be printed in a convenient form, for 
use in the stationing committee, one complete list of 
all arrangements thus provisionally made, and a sep- 
rate list of all ministers for whom provisional arrange- 
ments have not been made, and a copy of these lists 
shall be sent to each member of the stationing com- 
mittee at least seven days before the meeting of that 
committee." (Connectional Record and Year-book 
for 1874, pp. 122, 123.) 

Thus negotiations and even contracts between the 
preachers and people are sought and encouraged by 
the conference. And they are generally sanctioned, 
though they may be canceled for good reasons. 
Here the Wesley ans stand exactly on a par with 
other denominations. Presbyterian ministers and 
people may make a contract, but to be valid the 
presbytery must approve it, otherwise it is null 
and void. The same is true of the Episcopalians, 
no contract will stand unless it be approved by the 
bishop of the diocese. And even among Congrega- 
tionalists, who claim the largest kind of freedom, no 
contract of the sort is of any force unless it have the 
indorsement of a council. So that, really, the only 
obstacle in the way of a Wesleyan preacher securing 



232 



HIST OR V OF METHODISM. 



a circuit to his taste lies in finding one that has 
good sense enough to give him a call. If he fails in 
this, the presumption is that he is not much in de- 
mand, or that he is looking too high. 

Whether this method secures a wiser distribution 
of ministerial talent is not for us to determine. We 
hardly need to say that we have generally preferred 
our own plan for us. And there can be little room to 
doubt that with reasonable modifications it is much 
better adapted to most of our work than the English 
plan. But this is of no account; our general policy 
is no doubt established, and will be maintained. 

It should be said, however, in passing, that the 
difficulty in making the appointments in England is 
not so great as here. They have the Children's 
Fund" to equalize the cost of supporting large fam- 
ilies, while here we have nothing of the sort. There, 
the only question is. Is he the man for the place? 
Here, we have to ask, What is the size of his family? 
How many children has he? There, a rich society 
having a childless pastor, supports just as many chil- 
dren as it would if its parsonage was crowded with 
them. Then there are other differences which our 
limits forbid us to state. 

BENEVOLENCE OF THE WESLEYANS. 

One of the marked features of original Methodism 
was its benevolence. It began by the sacrifice of 
every personal comfort for the relief and elevation of 
others. It required of its followers industry to get 
all they could honestly, economy to save all, and lib- 
erality to give all — great principles which its honored 
founder inculcated and practiced to the last, dying 



CHURCH ECONOMY, 



worth less than ten pounds, though he had acquired 
and disbursed many thousands. 

The first movements of Methodism involved ex- 
penses in seeking protection against mobs, in con- 
structing chapels for public worship, in releasing 
local preachers from small debts which prevented 
their entering the ministry, and in meeting the ex- 
penses of preachers. Hence, in 1849, was sug- 
gested that yearly collections should be taken to meet 
these and kindred expenses, which were denominated 

THE CONTINGENT FUND. 

In 1856, its field of operations was extended, and 
its name changed to the **Home Mission and Con- 
tingent Fund." Since then it has pushed the home 
missionary work among the poor and neglected with 
considerable energy and success, having secured 64 
parsonages and 144 chapels, accommodating 60,115 
persons. Its collections last year were nearly $126^- 
000. The affairs of this fund are managed by a com- 
mittee of ministers and laymen annually appointed 
by the conference, and its advantages are various and 
wide-spread, reaching all classes of contingent neces- 
sities, such as special losses, sickness of ministers, 
etc., not provided for by other arrangements. 

THE CHAPEL FUND 

originated in the double necessity of aiding poor 
societies in the erection of chapels, and restraining 
them from going into imprudent and hazardous en- 
terprises. After suffering much embarrassment and 
mortification from bad investments and worse debts, 
the conference, in 1775, enacted that no chapel 

20 



234 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



should be built unless first proposed to the con- 
ference. In 1790, chapel-building committees were 
appointed for both England and Ireland; but this 
did not remedy the evil. In 18 17, the building com- 
mittee was reconstructed, but without the desirable 
effect. The next year the Chapel Fund was estab- 
lished, and placed in the hands of a committee com- 
posed of fifteen ministers and fifteen laymen, with 
full power to receive all collections and appropriate 
them. In 1854, the arrangement was again revised, 
and every thing relating to chapels was placed in the 
hands of a large committee to be appointed annually 
by the conference, and to consist of an equal number 
of laymen and ministers, and Rev. William. Kelk was 
set apart to act as its secretary and look after the 
business. This brought relief and prosperity. In 
1866, further modifications were made, placing the 
business in the hands of thirty ministers and thirty 
laymen, the latter being nominated by the "Com- 
mittee of Review of Chapel Affairs," connected with 
whom are two clerical secretaries, who' supervise ev- 
ery interest involved. The result, in part, may be 
inferred from the facts that within the last twenty 
years, while the income of the fund has amounted 
to only about ^560,000, the money actually contrib- 
uted toward the removal of debts and the cost of 
new erections has reached the magnificent sum of 
;^ 1 9, 576,000, including ;$5, 592,830 of old debts paid. 
The report to the conference in 1874 shows receipts 
for the last year amounting to ;$44,855, debts re- 
duced ^119,130, and sanction given to the erection 
of 129 chapels at an estimated cost of ;^ 1,074, 775, 
and 21 schools at a cost of $57,995- 



CHURCH ECONOMY. 



Though we long followed our English brethren 
afar off in this respect, we can but admire their per- 
severance. Feeling the embarrassments that orig- 
inally moved them, some of our conferences took 
initiatory action on the subject many years ago, 
which culminated, in 1864, in the organization of 
our ''Church Extension Society," whose proceedings 
will be noticed in their proper place. 

THE preachers' AUXILIARY FUND. 

This was established in some sort to aid poor 
and sick preachers and the widows and children of 
preachers, in 1763, and each preacher was expected 
to contribute ten shillings yearly to its treasury. 
After passing through various changes in name and 
policy, though its objects remain the same, it is 
now entitled the "Worn-out Ministers' and Minis- 
ters' Widows' Fund," and is rendered successful by 
reason of the services of a secretary, who devotes his 
whole time to its interests. So popular a cause as 
this even requires special advocacy to command any 
thing like the support it deserves. Its collections 
the last year amounted to some $66,000. 

They have also a ministers' " Sustentation Soci- 
ety," providing for its members when superannuated 
or supernumerary, and their wives in widowhood. 
It had a grant from the book-room last year — 
:^3,ooo (nearly ;^ 15, 000) — and reported assets of 
about ;^ 1, 211,000. Its annuitants number 288 
preachers and 378 widows. This, however, is not 
strictly a benevolent institution so much as a pro- 
tective arrangement for those who are willing to pay 
for its benefits. 



236 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



THE children's FUND. 

This was instituted in the year 1819, to relieve 
an embarrassment which had been long realized. 
Till then the several circuits had to pay a certain 
allowance for each of their preachers' children. 
Hence, men with large families were often objected to 
purely on financial grounds, and were embarrassed 
themselves at the thought of being burdensome to a 
kind but poor people; and not unfrequently these 
evils were rather aggravated by the fact that a rich 
neighboring circuit was enjoying the services of 
preachers who had less children, perhaps none at all. 

To remedy these difficulties and equalize the ex- 
pense of supporting the children of the preachers 
among the circuits, the district meetings entered into 
an arrangement to require each circuit to pay its 
proportion of the allowance to all the children in the 
conference, according to the numbers in society and 
their financial ability. This measure met with gen- 
eral favor, both among the preachers and the people. 
The operation of it is this: The rich circuits, having 
less children among them to support than is their 
equitable proportion, pay the claims of their preach- 
ers for such as they have, and pay over the balance 
to the treasurer of the "Children's Fund," while the 
poor circuits, having more preachers' children to sup- 
port than properly belong to them, draw upon the 
Children's Fund" for the amount of their claims. 

Thus all the preachers' children are provided for; 
and, that there may be no failure in the operation 
of the plan, each circuit is required to pay its annual 
apportionment to the fund before it can receive any 



CHURCH ECONOMY. 237 

assistance, whatever its necessities. The amount 
collected for this fund last year was fe7,595. 

The liberality of the Wesleyans becomes still 
more impressive when we look at their educatio7tal 
enterprises, to which we have already referred; but 
the climax of their benevolence is seen in connection 
with their 

MISSIONARY OPERATIONS. 

These are managed by a large and strong com- 
mittee of ministers and laymen, selected from all the 
districts, and supervised by two ministerial secreta- 
ries, who give their time exclusively to the work. 
We refer now to foreign missions, embracing Europe, 
India, China, South and West Africa, and the West 
Indies, tabulated as follows: 



Central Stations, called Circuits, . . . 908 

Chapels and other preaching-places, . . 6,963 

Ministers and Assistant Missionaries, . , 881 

Other paid Agents, as Catechists, Teachers, etc., 3j5o6 

Unpaid Agents, as Sunday-school Teachers, etc., 25,013 

Full and accredited Church members, . . 173? 551 

On Trial for Church membership, . . . 16,518 

Scholars, ....... 261,983 

Printing Establishinents, 4 



The home receipts for this work during the last 
year, reported at the annual meeting held May 4, 
1874, were ^610,460; foreign receipts from affiliated 
conferences, $22g,^\o, making a total of ^839,970. 

Add to this imperfect inventory other benevo- 
lences that might be named, and remember that 
all this is done after supporting the Established 
Church (a burden, thank God, from which we are 
exempt), and giving freely to maintain their home 
institutions, the liberality of the Wesleyan brethren 



238 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



can hardly fail to command our admiration. If Amer- 
ican Methodists can bring themselves to ''abound" 
equally in this grace, according to their better cir- 
cumstances, no interests among us will suffer for the 
want of funds. The example is worthy of imitation, 
and to find it in the family from which we sprung, 
and to which we cleave with a filial fraternity, is 
the next best thing to possessing it ourselves. 

Having compassed the ground covered by our 
plan, a few remarks in relation to the various meas- 
ures referred to in the foregoing pages will close this 
part of our book. 

The first is, that all these arrangements, particu- 
larly the funds, have been providentially demanded. 
Nothing has been devised before its time, and nothing 
really matured for many years after its first dis- 
cussion. This circumstance ought to encourage the 
younger members of the Wesleyan family to **try 
again," and never to cease discussing important prac- 
tical questions till they shall have hit upon the right 
plan, and see it in successful operation. 

Another thought, which might not occur to the 
reader from what has been said, is, that these several 
plans and measures, though providentially suggested, 
were the result of pivfoinid study, not merely during 
the sessions of the conference. The conference 
seemed generally to be impressed that the necessary 
brevity of their sessions, and other circumstances, 
Avould not admit of the needful investigation. There- 
fore, when they found themselves approaching the 
crisis, when something must be done, they appointed 
large committees, embracing the wisdom of the min- 
istry and the laity, and designated the time and 



CHURCH ECONOMY. 



239 



place of their meeting. In these committees the mat- 
ter was deUberately dissected Hmb by Hmb, every 
weakness and impracticabiHty detected, and the 
whole consolidated and adapted to the Wesleyan 
system, so that, if approved by the conference, it 
might become a part of that system, and seem indis- 
pensable to its healthful operation. But another ad- 
vantage of this course was, the plan, when it came 
out, was as much the people s as the preachers', and 
was, in a great degree, to be managed by them. 
This gave it popularity, and secured its success. 

To the reader of this sketch, these regulations 
may seem complicated. This is their first appear- 
ance to a stranger. But if one will examine them 
more closely, he will find them complicated, indeed, 
yet simple ; and taken together, the most finished and 
effective scheme of raising money extant. How else 
could such an interest be kept up, and such vast 
amounts of money be raised in a society embracing 
few of the wealthy, and composed chiefly of the 
poorer classes, many of whom are objects of charity 
themselves, and all of whom are exorbitantly taxed 
to support the extravagance of the Episcopal 
Church — taxed for every thing, not only for what 
they eat and drink and wear, but for the very light 
of heaven that shines upon them, and often oppressed 
in their wages, too, and compelled to work long and 
hard for what will scarcely procure them the coarsest 
fare? Should their children imitate the parent in this 
respect, Methodism would soon fill the whole earth. 



Part Second. 
HISTORY OF METHODISM IN AMERICA. 



CHAPTER L 

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY PROVIDENTIAL PREP- 
ARATION FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF METHOD- 
ISM ITS ORIGIN AND EARLY PROGRESS. 

AMERICA was discovered by Columbus in 1492. 
The first settlement within the present territory 
of the United States was made by the Spaniards in 
Florida, and called St. Augustine, in honor of a 
Romish Saint upon whose day they landed. This 
occurred September 7, 1565. May 13, 1607, Sir 
Walter Raleigh settled a colony at Jamestown, Vir- 
ginia, on the James River, both taking their name 
from James I, of England, under whose patronage 
the enterprise was executed. The religion of the 
Church of England was established and maintained 
here until the country became independent. The 
next settlement was formed by the Pilgrims" at 
Plymouth, Massachusetts, December 11, 1620. 
' ' They were a company of bold, independent, relig- 
ious adventurers, who fled from persecution in the 
Old to seek an asylum in the New World." They 
adopted Congregationalism and Calvinism, both of 

21 



242 



HI ST OR Y OF AIETHODISM. 



which formed an essential part of the government 
for many years. And it was about as intolerant as 
the old government from which they fled. Three 
years later, Portsmouth and Dover, now leading 
towns in New Hampshire, were settled by parties 
holding the principles of the Plymouth Colony. 

In 1634, Mr. Calvert settled a colony in Mary- 
land, on the St. Mary's River, making religion free, 
though he was a Catholic. This was the first example 
of the kind on the continent. Next came Rhode 
Island, settled by Roger Williams, who, with five 
others, fled from the Massachusetts colony into the 
wilderness, to avoid religious persecution, and mak- 
ing a stand, he called the place Providence, because 
he "desired it might be for shelter for persons dis- 
tressed in conscience." This was in 1636, and was 
the beginning of the settlement of Rhode Island. 

Connecticut was first settled in 1660, by emi- 
grants from Massachusetts, taking the religion of the 
Pilgrims with them, which they long retained, 
though Vvath less intolerance than was manifested 
by their fathers. Hudson entered the river now 
bearing his name, in 1609. Six years later the 
Dutch effected a settlement on Manhattan Island, 
now New York, and soon after, another at Albany. 
Trade and money-making were the leading motives 
of the enterprise; but still the colonists brought the 
Protestant Calvinistic institutions of Holland with 
them, and legislated in their interest. Subsequently, 
however, England gained the ascendency, when the 
Church of England took precedence of all other re- 
ligions, and held it till the war of the Revolution. 

In 1 63 1, the State of Delaware was settled by 



PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATION, 243 



the Hollanders, with the same religious principles 
which prevailed in New York. New Jersey assumed 
colonial existence in 1664, and was made up of a 
mixture of English, Dutch, and Swedes, allowing re- 
ligious liberty to all parties. North Carolina made a 
feeble start in 1660, by people from New England and 
Virginia; and South Carolina in 1670, granting re- 
ligious liberty to the colonists. Pennsylvania was first 
chiefly settled by Quakers from West Jersey. In 1682 
William Penn landed at the point now known as 
Philadelphia, and commenced his honorable negotia- 
tions with the Indians under the branches of a tow- 
ering elm. His right to the soil was secured by a 
double purchase, first from his king, and then from 
the natives, and was properly named Pennsylvania 
(Penn's Woods), and Philadelphia, or brotherly love, 
was a fit designation for its chief city, in view of 
his humane conduct to all concerned. 

The colony of Georgia was established, as we 
have seen, by General Oglethorpe, and was composed 
principally of members of the Church of England. 
This occurred in 1733, and three years after John and 
Charles Wesley came out by invitation to look par- 
ticularly after the religious interests of the Cherokee 
Indians, but meeting with unexpected difficulties, 
soon returned to England to bless the New World 
in a way which they did not then understand. 

We have given these facts that our young read- 
ers may see of what a heterogeneous mass of conflict- 
ing tongues and peoples this nation was originally 
composed. Religiously, Calvinism and Ecclesiasti- 
cism were the two predominant elements, and the 
natural opponents of Methodism. But it was for- 



244 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



tunate that these colonies started by different nations, 
had all come under the British Government, and 
were working into the use of the English language. 

PREPARATION FOR THE WORK. 

There is another aspect of the subject worthy 
of consideration; namely, the providential prepara- 
tion of men for the work to be done. The Wesleys 
were favorably born and educated like thousands 
of others; were led to read certain books, and hear 
and see certain things in common with their asso- 
ciates, but were religiously impressed by them, and 
moved to seek after God in a manner and to an extent 
that others were not. By this means they struck a 
new current, little talked of and less understood, and 
were borne along into joyous fellowship with God, 
and into complete sympathy with his desire for the 
elevation, holiness, and happiness of mankind. Un- 
der this impulse they began to seek and to save the 
lost, giving special attention, in imitation of their 
Divine Master, to the most needy and neglected. 
They had no purpose but to perform their present 
duty, — please God and ''do good to men." 

Soon after, something very similar occurred in 
Ireland. Thomas Williams, having become imbued 
with their spirit, was moved, not sent by man, to 
cross the channel and tell the people of Dublin what 
God had done for his soul. Many believed and 
demonstrated the truth of his doctrine by actual 
experiment. Mr. Wesley, hearing of these wonder- 
ful results, first visited that city in the Summer of 
1747, and following the demands of the cause, he 
afterward spent about six full years in that country, 



PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATION. 



245 



crossing the channel many times; but still without 
any plan of establishing a new Church, or any ex- 
pectation of benefiting the rest of mankind by his 
labors there. Yet God raised up the men on that 
very spot who actually carried the Gospel to the four 
quarters of the globe ; besides multitudes of others who 
became the most prominent in the home work: such 
as ^enry Moore, Adam Clarke, and a host of others. 
As we have seen, that simple sowing produced the 
class-leader and preacher in the person of a banished 
convict who first introduced the Gospel to Australia. 
Methodism found him in prison, condemned to death; 
had him converted, his punishment commuted, and 
put a Bible in his hand as he left the English shores 
to return no more. 

ORIGIN OF METHODISM IN AMERICA. 

We have now to record another singular result 
of those early labors. In the Summer of 1760, a 
group of Irish emigrants landed in New York, among 
whom were a number of Methodists, one a local 
preacher by the name of Philip Embury. They 
seem, to have been more connected by the ties of 
blood and ambition to improve their temporal inter- 
ests than by religious sympathies or purposes. 
Embury was about thirty years old, honest, indus- 
trious, well informed, but timid, and a carpenter by 
trade. Though he had been converted, had seen 
Mr. Wesley, and exercised a few years as a class- 
leader and local preacher among his friends and neigh- 
bors at home, he was hardly the man to raise the 
Methodist standard among strangers and amid the 
spiritual darkness and death that reigned in New 



246 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



York at that time. The population of the city was 
then only about twenty thousand, and every little 
divergence from the established routine attracted at- 
tention. For one reason or another the new-comers 
did not let their light shine, and relapsed into the 
spirit and customs of the world, making no consid- 
erable show of religion for some six years. In the 
mean time, others arrived, some of whom made no 
pretensions to piety, and contributed, no doubt, to 
extinguish what little devotion remained. But Bar- 
bara Heck, a real mother in Israel, who deprecated 
this state of things, finding several of her friends en- 
gaged in card-pla}'ing, went in among them, threw 
the cards into the fire, and exhorted them to return 
to God. And, addressing Mr. Embury then, or 
soon after, she said: "And yoii must preach to us, 
or we shall all go to hell together, and God will re- 
quire our blood at 3^our hands! " When he objected 
that he had no house or congregation, she replied, 
in the true spirit of Christian enterprise: "Preach in 
your own house first and to our company." The 
duty was too obvious, and the appeal too earnest 
and pungent to be resisted, and he yielded to impor- 
tunity and preached his first sermon in America "in 
his own hired house" on Barrack Street, now Park 
Place, to a congregation of five persons, whom he at 
once formed into the first American class. From 
this time he continued to preach till his house be- 
came too small, when an empty room was secured 
near the Barracks, in ' ' the most infamous street in 
the city." Then, as is usual in such cases, and with 
such religion, God worked. Three musicians from 
the Barracks came in and v\'ere converted, and began 



PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATION, 247 

to exhort. The keeper of the almshouse was also 
interested, and several of its inmates joined the little 
band. Something new occurred every month to 
cheer the praying few in a strange land. In the 
Spring of 1767 they were surprised to see a military 
officer in their meeting. What could he want there? 
was a question that naturally occupied all minds. 
But they were soon relieved by his singing and kneel- 
ing like themselves. It was Captain Thomas Webb 
of the Royal Army, Barrack-master at Albany, a 
stanch Methodist, and a local preacher from Eng- 
land — ^just the man for the place and the times — a 
shining light, of whom it was said by Asbury, he is 
*'an Israelite indeed;" by Wesley, ''he is a man of 
fire;" by John Adams, of Revolutionary fame, '*he 
is one of the most eloquent men I ever heard;" and 
by others, "a perfect Whitefield in declamation" — 
' ' he was truly a Boanerges, and often made the stout- 
hearted tremble." 

He, of course, was invited to preach ; and did so, in 
military costume, laying his sword on the table 
before him. This was a novelty that could but at- 
tract a crowd too large for the place. They, there- 
fore, went to a rigging-loft on William Street, sixty 
feet by eighteen, which would not accommodate half 
the people who came three times a week to hear 
these strange preachers, one a carpenter, and the 
other a soldier. This suggested a meeting-house, 
which the good Barbara Heck had been praying for 
ever since she brought Embury to his duty, and 
had "received with inexpressible sweetness and 
power the answer, 'I, the Lord, will do it. '" A 
simple plan was prepared, the trustees appointed, 



248 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Mr. Embury being the first, as he had been the first 
preacher and class-leader. A site was leased on 
John Street in 1768, and purchased two years after; 
and the people generally encouraged the enterprise, 
from the mayor down to the poorest citizen. The 
subscription paper, which is still preserved, contains 
the names of two hundred and fifty persons. Cap- 
tain Webb stands first in amount, one hundred and 
fifty dollars. The building was a chapel, not a 
church, sixty feet long by forty-two wide, and had 
*'a fire-place and chimney" to avoid the law and not 
offend the English Church. Embury superintended 
the work, and made the pulpit (still in possession of 
the Church) with his own hands, and October 30, 

1768, dedicated the first Methodist chapel in America 
to God, before it was finished, trusting in Providence 
to furnish the means to meet the bills. The house 
was made of stone, faced with plaster, and furnished, 
at first, with seats without backs, and a gallery with- 
out breast-work or stairs, which was reached by a 
ladder. Nevertheless, it was thronged from its open- 
ing, though called "The Wesley Chapel," and the 
first in the world that took the name of the founder 
of Methodism, and thousands gathered around it 
who could not gain admittance. It Avas without 
vestry or class-room. Mr. Embury continued to 
supply the pulpit and look after every-thing. In 
1770, a parsonage was erected near the chapel, and 
rudely furnished with articles donated or lent, and 
became the resting-place of the missionaries,, Pil- 
mour, Boardman, and others. In the mean time, 

1769, the faithful Embury left the city and went to 
Camden, New York, with some of his associates, and 



PR 0 VIDENTIAL PRE FAR A TION. 



249 



formed the first Methodist society within the bounds 
of the Troy Conference, at Ashgrove. That confer- 
ence now numbers 264 preachers and 34,608 mem- 
bers, and preserves the remains of the honored 
founder of American Methodism in the cemetery at 
Cambridge, to which they were lately removed, after 
slumbering in solitude on the farm of a friend and 
in the little grave-yard at Ashgrove for fifty-seven 
years. 

Thus God led the simple carpenter in a way he 
knew not, and made him the honored instrument of 
starting a society which has grown to be the largest 
Church on the continent. Old John Street has been 
the birthplace of thousands, and still remains, a mon- 
ument of the origin of Methodism in this country, 
speaking to the few who still love its gates, though 
almost concealed by the mammoth warehouses of 
commerce which surround it. 

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF CAPTAIN WEBB. 

Captain Webb had been a brave soldier for his 
country, and bore the marks of battle on his person. 
Having lost the sight of one eye, he wore a shade 
over it ; but his whole appearance indicated a kind 
heart and a holy purpose. He was generous, as well 
as pious, usually preached without remuneration, 
and, besides giving the largest subscription to John 
Street chapel, loaned the trustees fifteen hundred 
dollars, without interest, and begged for them one 
hundred and sixty dollars in Philadelphia. Being 
placed on the retired list, with the pay of a captain, 
in view of his heroic service, he gave himself up to 
the itinerant work, and went abroad preaching and 



250 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



forming societies wherever he could. Twenty-four 
were converted under his preaching at Jamaica, and 
became the first fruits of Methodism on Long Island. 
He traveled through New Jersey, and formed a class 
at Burlington, making Joseph Toy its leader, who 
afterward became a teacher and preacher. He formed 
the first class in Philadelphia in 1768, while preach- 
ing in a sail-loft, and afterward participated in pro- 
curing the first, the St. George's Methodist Church, 
in that city, which was established in 1770. In the 
mean time, he traversed Delaware and Maryland, vis- 
iting Wilmington, Baltimore, and other places, sow- 
ing the seed which has yielded so abundantly since. 
Visiting England, he reported Avhat the Lord was 
doing in this far-off land, plead for missionaries, and 
returned with Shadford and Rankin in 1773. Con- 
tinuing his labors here until the breaking out of the 
war of the Revolution, he returned to England, and 
continued faithful and efficient until honorably dis- 
charged in a good old age. 

Thus we see the Providence of God again. Em- 
bury, converted in Ireland, came to this country as 
a carpenter; and Webb, converted at Bristol, Eng- 
land, under Mr. Wesley's ministry in 1765, came 
out as a soldier, and together they laid the founda- 
tions of a spiritual superstructure in this New World 
that was to outstrip its European model, and send 
its influence to the ends of the earth. Where the 
Wesleys and Whitefield had failed of making any 
organic stand, or erecting any lasting spiritual me- 
morial of their labors, these simple men planted a 
vine which has run out over the surrounding walls, and 
sent its life-giving fruit to millions of perishing sinners. 



PR 0 VIDEN TIAL PREPARA TION. 



251 



OTHER DEVELOPMENTS. 

About this time, probably in 1764, Robert Straw- 
bridge, another Irish Methodist local preacher, ar- 
rived in this country with his young wife, and settled 
in Frederick County, Maryland. He had little care 
for the world, hardly enough to get a living, but was 
intensely religious. He commenced preaching at 
once in his own house, and formed a class, and soon 
built a log chapel at Sam's Creek, twenty-two feet 
square, but without a floor, door, or windows. Still 
the society flourished, and sent out several preachers, 
who did good service. He traveled about, preaching 
in many places, formed the first Methodist society in 
Baltimore County, was the means of Richard Owen's 
conversion, who was the first native Methodist 
preacher in the country, and did much good, preach- 
ing without ' ' fee or reward, and, during the last two 
years of his life, he gave his whole time to the work." 
Strawbridge led out other preachers also, and achieved 
grand results; but when the first missionaries ap- 
peared and put the work under circuit arrangements, 
making him subordinate, and especially restraining 
him. from administering the sacraments as he had 
done, his Irish spirit rebelled, and he seemed to 
settle down about home, preaching to two little soci- 
eties. He did not enjoy Asbury's domination, and 
Asbury did not highly esteem him. He was finally 
given the free use of a farm near Baltimore, by a 
gentleman who knew his poverty, and died in the 
Lord in 1781. It is impossible for some high-minded, 
independent, devout men, to enjoy the military dis- 
cipline of the Methodist itinerancy. They feel hu- 



252 HISTORY OF METHODISM, 

t 

miliated to be dancing attendance upon men inferior 
to themselves, and to be subject to their conceit or 
whims, as they sometimes are. The Church has lost 
men of this class, who might have been saved, per- 
haps, by a little more brotherly consideration on 
the part of the rulers. Strawbridge was admired 
by Owen, who preached his funeral sermon and 
many others ; but Asbury could not brook his 
insubordination. 

Thus, it appears that Methodism commenced its 
career in this country in two places about the same 
time — one in the City of New York, and the other 
in the woods of Maryland — and by two Irishmen, 
uneducated local preachers. Which spoke first, it is 
hardly possible to determine, though the argument 
seems to be in favor of Embury. And as this has 
been the general understanding for so long a time, it 
would seem almost a pity to have it disturbed. But 
whether the sisters may not justly claim that Bar- 
bara Heck takes precedence of both these honored 
worthies, admits of little doubt. So far as we now 
see, Embury would have remained in his unhappy 
obscurity if she had not spurred him up to duty. 
And we doubt some whether John Street Chapel 
would have become a fact when it did Avithout her 
heroism. However, to God be all the glory, whose 
they were, and whom they served. (Bangs' s His., 
Vol. I, pp. 52-58.) 

OTHER IRREGULAR HELPERS. 

In 1769, Robert Williams arrived in New York 
with a friend by the name of Ashton, who, know- 
ing his poverty, paid his passage. Williams was 



PR 0 VIDENTIAL PREPARA TION. 



evidently a very zealous Christian. Hearing of the 
work in New York, he was at once on fire to come 
over, went to Mr. Wesley to get license to preach, 
persuaded Ashton to come with him, and taking his 
saddle-bags on his arm, walked to the ship with a 
loaf of bread and a bottle of milk to sustain him. 
He commenced his work in the John Street Chapel, 
where, two years later, he was stationed. From 
there he traveled south, laboring with Strawbridge 
and others, and did a good work. Jesse Lee was 
one of his converts in Virginia. He is said to have 
been ' ' the first Methodist minister in America that 
published a book, the first that married, the first that 
located, and the first that died." Saving sinners 
was his aim in every place, and by all means. He 
preached, visited, published and sold books, and 
died. Though his grave is unknown, his memory 
is precious. 

John King was another providential interloper 
from London, who arrived in 1769, and opened his 
mission without license in the Potter's Field of Phil- 
adelphia, the little society there being afraid of him. 
But he felt that he must preach, and he did so, and 
demonstrated his call of God, and at last obtained a 
license, united with the first missionaries sent out by 
Wesley, and was a member of the first conference in 
1773. He preached in the open air in Baltimore, 
traversed New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vir- 
ginia, and North Carolina, and achieved much good. 

Thus Methodism was unofficially planted and well 
started on this continent, without the direct order or 
even knowledge of Mr. Wesley, by one woman and 
a few local preachers, regular and irregular, who 



254 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



were drawn to the New World by other than mis- 
sionary motives, showing that God led the move- 
ment here as in Europe, but still by Wesleyan 
agencies. 

These supplies, however, created new necessities, 
and Mr. Wesley, the acknowledged leader of Meth- 
odism, was urged by various parties, lay and cleri- 
cal, to send out men whose whole time could be de- 
voted to the work. Delighted with such strange in- 
telligence from New York, he laid the matter before 
his conference, August 3, 1769, and called for volun- 
teers. Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor, after 
several hours' delay, and a touching sermon by Wes- 
ley, responded, and were sent. A collection was 
taken on the spot to pay their expenses to the amount 
of one hundred dollars, and two hundred and fifty 
dollars or more toward the debt on the John-street 
Chapel, a noble one, considering the extreme poverty 
of the preachers, and that their connectional debts 
amounted to nearly thirty thousand dollars, and 
nothing in the treasury. Mr. Boardman was a man 
of God throughout, and it was said of him at his 
funeral thirteen years after, ''with eloquence divine 
he preached the Word," and ''devils trembled when 
for Christ he fought." 

Pilmoor was also a young man of good parts, 
converted under Wesley's preaching at the age of 
sixteen, and educated at Kingswood school. A 
rough passage of nine weeks brought them to Phil- 
adelphia, happy in God, when they met Captain 
Webb and found a society of about one hundred 
members. Pilmoor opened his mission from the steps 
of the State-house, and from thence he went to the 



PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATION. 



race course, where he preached to four or five thou- 
sand people. Boardman also preached and started 
for New York, giving the soldiers at Trenton a mov- 
ing sermon in the Presbyterian Church. Ten days 
after, he wrote to Mr. Wesley that he had about 
seventeen hundred hearers at the chapel, one-third of 
whom were inside and the others around the house. 
"The number of blacks that attend the preachings," 
he said "affects me much." Thus early, Methodism 
took an interest in this abused race. He preached 
some four times a week, and received his board, and 
fifteen dollars per quarter to meet other expenses. 

But he did not confine himself to New York. 
He alternated with Pilmoor, spending about half the 
time in Philadelphia, pushing out in all directions, as 
far south as Baltimore, and as far east as Providence 
and Boston. 

The letters of these two first missionaries show 
that they lived in God, and rejoiced in the self-sac- 
rificing work they had undertaken. The terrible 
gales they encountered on their nine weeks' voyage, 
when they were expecting to perish in the great 
deep, did not shake their confidence; they were 
ready to die. And now, in the same blessed hope, 
they preached and worked, weeping over the multi- 
tudes that thronged their path. The city contained 
the ablest English and Dutch ministers of the age, 
and yet their more pious parishioners would run after 
these half educated young men, in spite of the re- 
monstrances of their pastors. Nobody drew such 
crowds, except Whitefield, who was on the ocean 
with them for the last time, in another vessel, com- 
ing to his burial. They, like him, were filled with 



256 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

the spirit that led Jesus to die for the race, and 
sought to save sinners to the uttermost in season and 
out of season. This was the secret of their power, 
and is to-day an indispensable endowment for the 
highest success in the work of God. Whitefield 
preached and hurried off, leaving others to gather the 
fruit of his labors ; they preached and organized their 
followers into classes and societies, with which a 
mighty host have since become associated. 

OTHER MISSIONARIES SENT. 

The American field opening up so promisingly, 
Mr. Wesley was induced to send forth other laborers. 
Asking the question, in his conference, in 1771, Who 
are willing to go to America? five responded, but 
only two could be spared; Francis Asburyand Richard 
WVight were accepted and sent, both of whom landed 
in Philadelphia, October 17, 1771. Asbury was twenty- 
six years old, the only living child of his parents. At 
the age of thirteen he was put to a trade, which ex- 
hausted six years. In the mean time he was awak- 
ened, sought the Methodists, was pleased with them, 
obtained religion, and began to hold meetings at sev- 
enteen. Five years later he entered the itinerant 
work. Of course he had but little opportunity for 
education; but he was industrious, loved to read, and 
stored up most useful knowledge. In a word, he 
was just the man to take charge of the American 
work. Bidding adieu to his friends, he went to Bris- 
tol to embark, without money or outfit. But he 
says, "The Lord soon opened the hearts of friends, 
who supplied me with clothes and ten pounds." He 
had two blankets and slept on the bare floor during 



PR 0 VIDENTIAL PRE PAR A TION. 257 



the voyage, but made no complaint. ''I feel my 
spirit bound," he said, ''to the New World, and my 
heart is united with the people, though unknown;" 

am going to live to God and to teach others 
so to do." 

Less is known of Mr. Wright. He spent most 
of three years in Maryland and Virginia, and re- 
turned to England, where, after about the same 
length of time, his name ceased to appear in the 
minutes. 

These good men commenced their labors in Phil- 
adelphia, in what is known as the Old St. George's 
Church, originally built for a German reformed so- 
ciety, but bought for the Methodists in 1770, through 
the influence of Captain Webb. It was not finished 
then nor long afterward. One author says, ' ' In pro- 
cess of time it was floored from end to end, and more 
comely seats were put into it, with a new pulpit like 
a tub on a post." It was the largest Methodist 
Church in the country for about fifty years, and was 
a favorite place with Asbury. It is the honored 
mother of many children, who are proud of their 
pedigree. Two weeks after their arrival, Asbury 
wrote, ''I find my mind drawn heavenward. The 
Lord hath helped me by his power, and my soul is 
in paradise." . . . Glory be to him that liveth 
and abideth forever." 

Asbury soon turned his steps toward New York, 
preaching at Burlington on his way, where Webb 
had been a little before, and giving Staten Island its 
first sight of a true Wesleyan itinerant. That cas- 
ual beginning has developed into nine Churches and 
1,635 members, as may be seen by the last minutes. 



258 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Reaching New York, November I2th, he received a 
warm welcome by Boardman and others, and plunged 
into the work anew, expressing profound interest in 
the colored people. 

But he was too military in his construction to be 
long satisfied with the random operations that pre- 
vailed among the preachers, and addressed himself 
to systematizing the itinerant Avork, so as to reach 
out into unoccupied fields. "I am fixed to the 
Methodist plan," he said (that is, the plan of itiner- 
ancy), and, being Wesley's ''assistant," he had this 
under his special charge ; but it was a pretty difficult 
point to maintain, as there was already a disposition 
in some of the little societies to be like the nations 
around them, and have settled pastors, which most 
of the preachers seemed to favor. But he was fully 
determined to sweep the country, and at once formed 
a circuit, stretching from Staten Island to East Ches- 
ter, for the Winter's campaign, and led the way him- 
self, preaching in the open air, private houses, and 
anywhere he could find an opening. The next 
Spring (1772), Boardman, the superintendent, re- 
moved him to Philadelphia, from which he sallied 
forth, saying, "I hope that before long about seven 
preachers of us will spread over seven or eight hun- 
dred miles." Six months after, he received marching 
orders for New York, and was off again, preaching 
in prisons, in the Avoods, and at executions, Avhile 
Williams went to Virginia and Pilmoor to Savannah. 
He set his compeers on fire by his heroism, and in- 
dicated to the people and to Wesley that he was 
God's anointed to lead the little Methodist band to 
their coming struggles and triumphs. Accordingly, 



PR O VIDEN TIAL PRE PAR A TION. 



259 



toward the close of 1772, Mr. Wesley wrote him a 
letter, appointing him superintendent in the place 
of Mr. Boardman, whom he soon met at Princeton, 
N. J. They agreed in judgment, he says, about 
the affairs of the society, and "were comforted to- 
gether." From that point he pushed on to Mary- 
land, and found that ''swearers, liars, cock-fighters, 
card-players, horse-racers, drunkards, etc., had be- 
come new men, and were filled with the praises 
of God." 

Coming to Baltimore, he found the work was 
gaining ground through the labors of his predeces- 
sors, and the people were waking up to open their 
doors for preaching and the entertainment of the 
itinerants, where they at first left them to preach 
out of doors and live at the hotels. An Irishman, 
Captain Patten, was the first to open his house, and 
he was . soon followed by others, and they were all 
filled with interested hearers, when another sail-loft 
was obtained, and overflowed with people com- 
ing many miles to hear the strange itinerants who 
preached without a manuscript, prayed without a 
book, and were happy in God. Asbury took it 
upon himself to organize them into classes, and to 
introduce the Wesleyan rule, to project a meeting- 
house, which soon led to a second, the first being the 
dwelling of the courageous Irishman above named. 

From this singular beginning, Methodism became 
a settled institution in Baltimore, and now numbers 
about 11,500 members. 

Having arranged matters here, Asbury organ- 
ized a circuit of two hundred miles in extent, with 
twenty-four appointments, which he compassed every 



26o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



three weeks. March 29, 1773, he wrote: "I rode 
twenty miles to Susquehanna, and just got there, 
almost spent, time enough to preach at three o'clock. 
Hitherto the Lord hath helped me. Praised forever 
be his dear and blessed name! Tuesday, 30th, our 
quarterly-meeting began. After I had preached, we 
proceeded to business, and in our little conference 
the following queries were propounded, namely: 
I. Are there any disorderly persons in our classes? 
It is thought not. 2. Does not dram-drinking too 
much prevail among our people? 3. Do none con- 
tract debts without due care to pay them? , 
5. Is there nothing immoral in any of our preach- 
ers? 6. What preachers travel now, and where are 
they stationed? It was then urged that none must 
break our rules, under the penalty of being excluded 
from our connection. All was settled in a most ami- 
cable manner." 

This was a great accession, and brought multi- 
tudes together, involving powerful sermons, many 
conversions, and much joy, and was the beginning 
of greater things of the same kind, connected with 
''old-fashioned quarterly-meetings," so much talked 
about even now. 

Asbury, hearing of some disturbances in the 
North, took his departure, and returned to New 
York to be temporarily relieved of his superintend- 
ency, probably at his own suggestion, by Thomas 
Rankin, already on his way to the country. 



EARLIEST PREACHERS, 



CHAPTER 11. 

THOMAS RANKIN AND GEORGE SH4DFORD PROGRESS OF THE 

CAUSE REMARKABLE AWAKENINGS MORE TROUBLE 

ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS ORIGIN OF THE GERMAN METH- 
ODISTS OR UNITED BRETHREN. 

IT had been hoped for some time that Mr. Wesley 
himself would come to the country and give di- 
rection to the Methodist work. Captain Webb vis- 
ited England in 1772 to urge him to this course, and 
also to send out more missionaries. Wesley gave 
him a warm reception, and used him, while there, to 
excellent purpose. He seemed really proud of his 
military preacher, and was disposed to comply with 
his wishes, but deemed it inexpedient for him to 
leave the European work so long as a trip to Amer- 
ica would require. He, however, sent two of his 
choicest men, namely, Thomas Rankin and George 
Shadford, who arrived at Philadelphia in the Summer 
of 1773, with Captain Webb and Joseph Yearbry, a 
local preacher, who at once entered the itinerant 
ranks. But in doing this he had to resist his brother 
Charles, as usual, who thought the captain fanatical, 
and did not accept his glowing account of the pros- 
pects in the New World. 

Rankin was a Scotchman, an intelligent, zealous 
preacher, who was ready to lay down his life to 
bring sinners to God, and a thorough disciplinarian. 



262 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



The story of his earl}^ hfe and labors is very interest- 
ing. Shadford was also an admirable man; was in 
the army several years, but on his return home went 
into business Avith his father, when he was led to 
Christ by a most interesting train of circumstances. 
His conversion was of that kind which moved him at 
once to save others. Establishing family prayers in 
his father's house by permission, he soon brought 
both of his parents to rejoice in the Lord, with two 
others of his family, and several of his companions. 
He talked to all he could reach, and many bowed 
under his influence. He was a successful soul-saver 
before he was a preacher. Wesley was pleased with 
him, called him into the itinerant work, and sent 
him with his colaborer, Rankin, to conquer this wil- 
derness for God. 

Mr. Rankin being the senior of Asbury by some 
years, was made superintendent of the American 
work in his place. Seniority was a potential element 
in those days, and was often followed to the detri- 
ment of the cause. Mr. Wesley supposed that he 
knew his men in this case, and believed that they 
would do their best, however arranged. But it is by 
no means certain that he did not make a mistake. 
Rankin w^as too stern and authoritative for the coun- 
try and the times. Though tender-hearted in preach- 
ing to sinners, he was evidently too commanding in 
government among his brethren, and for this rea- 
son often gave offense. He did not understand hu- 
man nature or the American temper so well as 
Asbury; but the Revolution soon removed him to 
the home work, for which he was evidently much 
better adapted. 



EARLIEST PREACHERS. 



263 



THE FIRST CONFERENCE. 

Up to this period no regular conference had been 
held, and little conventional business done. The 
preachers were scattered about in different States, 
and were appropriating their labors as circumstances 
seemed to require. But now, Mr. Rankin having 
received authority from Mr. Wesley, summoned a 
conference of the preachers in Philadelphia, to com- 
mence on the fourth of July. Here it was agreed 
that Mr. Wesley ought to exercise the same author- 
ity over the preachers and societies in this country 
he did in England, and that the doctrine and dis- 
cipline contained in the mhmtes should be the rule 
of their action. It was further agreed that the 
preachers should not administer the ordinances, and 
the people should be encouraged to receive them in 
the Episcopal Church. This was a pretty hard requi- 
sition, as many of those ministers were sporting 
characters, without the least sympathy for vital re- 
ligion. It is hardly surprising that Strawbridge's 
Irish heart repudiated them. The wonder is that the 
requisition should have been made here or elsewhere ; 
but Mr. Wesley had not then entirely escaped from 
the bondage of ecclesiasticism. If it was wise, it is 
difficult to see it at this distance of time. 

Robert Williams, as we have seen, was a great 
man for books, printing and circulating them among 
the people, particularly some of Mr. Wesley's excel- 
lent sermons. The conference disapproved of his 
course, and required him to sell out and quit, except 
as he might have the authority of Mr. Wesley, and 
the consent of his brethren. This placed private 



264 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



publishing under embargo, and contributed, no doubt, 
to promote the connectional estabhshment, called 
''The Methodist Book Concern." 

The societies at this time embraced ten itinerant 
preachers, and 1,160 members. The appointments 
of the preachers were as follows : 

New York — Thomas Rankin. |. To change 



Philadelphia — George Shadford, j in four months. 
New Jersey — ^John King, William Waters. 
Baltiinore — Francis Asbury, Robert Strawbridge, Abraham 
Whitworth. and Joseph Yearbry. 
Norfolk— K\c\\.-d.xdi Wright. 
Petersburg — Robert Williams. 

Observe, these were all the appointments made 
at the first conference, held in 1773, one hundred 
and two years ago. Now the annual appointments of 
the several Methodist Churches in this country num- 
ber 19,156 preachers, filling several hundred closely 
printed octavo pages, and supervising 3,031,988 
members, showing an average annual increase of 
more than 186 ministers, and 29,522 members. 

William Waters was the first native American who 
joined the itinerancy. He was born in Maryland of 
Episcopal parents, led to God by the Methodists, and 
entered the ministry at the age of twenty-two years. 
One of Wesley's sermons, printed by Williams in 
a disorderly way, as would seem from the action of 
the conference, led him to see the possibility of entire 
sanctification, and to seek and enjoy its fullness. 

The action of the conference was also a blow at 
Strawbridge and others, who insisted on administering 
the sacraments, or were in any way inclined to inde- 
pendency. However, they bore it patiently, and peace 




EARLIEST PREACHERS. 



265 



was preserved. Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor, 
seeing the war-cloud gathering, were inchned to re- 
turn to England, and the conference allowed them to 
do so. The former did good service for eight years, 
in the itinerant work there, and then died in peace; 
and the latter returned to Philadelphia in a few years, 
and became the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 
where he received the title of Doctor of Divinity. 
He was evidently afflicted by being entirely left out 
of sight by Mr. Wesley, in providing for Methodism 
in the two countries. He was, however, a good 
man, and retained much of his early love for Meth- 
odism during his long and useful life, and contributed 
annually to the poor preachers' fund. 

The members reported at the first conference 
were distributed as follows : New York, 1 80 ; Phila- 
delphia, 180; New Jersey, 200; Maryland, 5CXD ; and 
Virginia, 1 00, showing a preponderance in favor of 
Maryland, the field of Strawbridge, who had admin- 
istered the sacraments as well as the Gospel. 

THE PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE. 

With these arrangements the work advanced with 
new energy. The conference of 1774 showed a gain 
of seven preachers and 913 members, and the next 
year there was an increase of 1,075 members. This 
was a remarkable year for revivals. Both ministers 
and people were strangely baptized with the Spirit, 
showing a gain at the conference in 1776 of 25 
preachers and 1,873 members. But the signs of the 
times were ominous of a coming struggle, and Board- 
man, Webb, Wright, and others, loving their king 
and country, returned home. To meet the emer- 

23 



266 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

gency the Lord called others to the work, who were, 
after all, better adapted to it, as they were less 
wedded to the English Church, and cared more for 
the solvation of souls than they did for ecclesiastical 
order. Among these were Philip Gatch, Richard 
Owen, Slater Stephenson, and Nathan Perigan, all 
the fruits of Strawbridge's ministry. They were 
mighty men in their way, and for the work they 
were called to do. They had the advantage of being 
thoroughly awakened to feel themselves to be sin- 
ners, guilty and lost, and then, of being clearly and 
powerfully converted, and made inexpressibly happy 
in God. Under this inspiration they began almost 
necessarily to speak of it, and persuade others to 
repent. Venturing out on this line, they found they 
had "power with God and with men," and prevailed. 
Others noticed it, too, and encouraged them forward; 
and, without any settled intention, they found them- 
selves successfully preaching the Gospel. Had they 
entered the ministry as a choice of professions, with- 
out any clear apprehension of themselves as sinners, 
or as pardoned and transformed by the grace of God, 
as we fear that some do, they would have been an 
incumbrance, though they might have delivered 
pretty lectures, and been esteemed for their intelli- 
gence and gentlemanly deportment. This was not 
the kind of ministers needed at that day, or even 
now. The work of God must suffer in their hands. 

Abraham Whitworth, sent to Baltimore from the 
first conference, was an Englishman and did good 
service in connection with Webb, Shadford, and others 
in New Jersey, but afterward fell into intemperance, 
and probably perished in the British army. His elo- 



EARLIEST PREACHERS. 



267 



quence could not save him. Asbury thought that he 
became ''puffed up" with pride. But in the days of 
his usefuhiess he was the means of converting one 
of the strongest characters that ever appeared in the 
itinerant ranks; namely, Benjamin Abbott. Abbott 
was a thorough sinner of the roughest mold, a reg- 
ular fighter, who feared not God or regarded man, 
and about forty years old when he was made a new 
creature. He was now as valiant for God as he had 
been for Satan, and commenced his labors in his own 
family. His wife and six children were soon rejoic- 
ing with him in the Lord. Exhorting his old com- 
panions in sin, many believed and were also saved. 
Though he was bold as a lion, he was, never- 
theless, tender as a child, and w^ent forth fifteen 
miles around his farm preaching and weeping and 
dreaming and triumphing gloriously. When he first 
heard about sanctification, he was ready for it, and re- 
solved to seek it, and in receiving it "fell flat to the 
floor," and "had not power to lift a hand or foot, 
nor yet to speak a w^ord." When he arose and 
went out, it appeared to him that ' ' the whole crea- 
tion was praising God." This gave him new power, 
and going to preach at a place called "Hell Neck," 
on account of the wickedness of the people, he 
wrote, "One sinner there said he had heard Abbott 
swear, and had seen him fight, and now would go 
and hear him preach. The word reached his heart, 
and he soon after became a convert to the Lord." 
A wicked man whipped his converted son fifteen 
years old, when Abbott went out to remonstrate 
with him, and brought him to tears and to prayer. 
Though he was several times mobbed, he generally 



268 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



won the field. Yet he knew Httle except the simple 
plan of salvation, which he every-where presented. 

But he was always ready for every kind of ob- 
jection and phase of difficulty. Says Dr. Stevens, 
* ' No evangelist of that day was more successful than 
Benjamin Abbott. . . . He was mighty as a 
preacher, and he preached with the expectation of 
immediate and individual results. The distinct, de- 
\ monstrative reformation and salvation of individual 
souls were the only satisfactory proofs to him of the 
success of his ministry, and he sought for such proofs 
in every place he visited, after every sermon he de- 
livered." This, next to the burning consciousness 
of salvation in his own soul, was the secret of his 
power. He preached, not because it was his profes- 
sional business, but to save souls, and followed his 
sermons with other measures to bring his hearers 
to the point. And he died as he lived, shouting, 
Glory ! glory ! glory ! at the age of sixty-four, and his 
remains lie buried in Salem, New Jersey, near his 
former residence. 

Other distinguished ministers were called in like 
manner, about the same time, as Daniel Ruff, Jesse 
Lee, Freeborn Garrettson, and many more; but as 
they multiply we shall have to pass many of them 
without giving the slighest sketch of their operations. 

INTERRUPTIONS FROM THE REVOLUTION. 

From this period to the conference of 1784, when 
the societies were organized into a separate and dis- 
tinct Church, they were subjected to various conflicts, 
which at times threatened their existence. One class 
of these arose from the Revolutionary struggle, which 



EARLIEST PREACHERS. 



269 



commenced in 1776 and continued to 1783. War, 
in any circumstances, is disastrous to religion and 
virtue in the community at large. Where armies 
are marching and counter-marching through the coun- 
try, and husbands and sons and brothers, of every 
neighborhood, are on the battle-field, amidst carnage 
and death, it is impossible to fix the public mind on 
any other subject, even where there is the utmost 
harmony in relation to the cause and objects of the 
war. But one unfortunate feature of this war was, 
that the community were divided about it, a part con- 
tending earnestly for independence and the other part 
for continued subordination to the mother country. 
On this question the father was often found arrayed 
against the son and the son against the father ; the 
husband against the wife and the wife against the 
husband; for the women were nearly as strong poli- 
ticians as the men. So that, had the ministers of 
the sanctuary been angels, they would have been ex- 
posed to the cruel jealousy of both parties, and, 
therefore, unlikely to convert either to the Lord. 
But they must have been more than angels to have 
gained great spiritual victories amid so much excite- 
ment, even in the absence of all jealousy. 

But it was unfortunate for Methodism that most 
of our preachers were Englishmen. This exposed 
them to peculiar suspicion. It was still more unfor- 
tunate that some of them allowed their patriotism to 
betray them into imprudencies, which justly exposed 
them, not only to suspicion, but to other evils; and 
finally compelled them to leave the country. The 
difficulty was greatly argumented by a pamphlet 
published by Mr. Wesley, and addressed to Ameri- 



270 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



cans, condemning their conduct, and taking sides 
with the EngHsh Cabinet. In the existing state of 
the pubHc mind, these intimations of denominational 
toryism were demonstrative. But, as if to leave no 
room to doubt, a backsHder must needs set himself 
to enlist three hundred men for the British standard, 
which cost him his life, and his old Methodist friends 
considerable trouble, as they were supposed to be 
parties to the plot. 

The excitement arose to such a pitch that the 
preachers were greatly interrupted. Most of the 
missionaries returned to England, preferring that to 
taking the oath of allegiance. Mr. Asbury concealed 
himself at Judge White's, in Delaware, for almost one 
year, to avoid taking the oath exacted by the State 
of Maryland. Mr. Garrettson and others who ven- 
tured to continue in the field were severely mobbed, 
persecuted, and imprisoned. James Hartley preached 
through the grates of his prison, and many Avere 
awakened, till it was said if they retained him much 
longer he would convert the whole town. John- 
street Chapel, in New York, Avas occupied by the 
British troops for some five years, from 1777 to 1783, 
and no preacher was stationed in the town. Other 
points were entirely abandoned for the time, and the 
work suspended. 

FURTHER TROUBLE ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS. 

The question of the sacraments was another 
source of difficulty that came near destroying the 
unity of the body. The missionaries, and many 
others, were intent upon cleaving to Mr. Wesley and 
the Church, and would not countenance the adminis- 



EAR LIES T PRE A CHERS, 



271 



tration of the sacraments on any account; while some 
believed that Methodists had as good a right to the 
sacraments as Churchmen, and repudiated the practice 
of depending upon the English clergy, who were gen- 
erally irreligious, if not immoral and profane. They 
therefore broke away from the old custom, and admin- 
istered the sacraments as the people desired. Hence, 
the action had at the first conference. After this the 
subject was called up and discussed from time to time, 
till 1779, when the Southerners could stand it no 
longer, and, therefore, as they were in the minority, 
and could not get a vote in the conference to carry 
out their wishes, they called the preachers together, 
at Fluvanna, Virginia, on the i8th of May, where, 
in spite of many entreaties, they set up their stand- 
ard' and appointed a committee to ordain ministers. 
The committee first ordained each other, and then 
they ordained their brethren, whereupon they all went 
forth preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and ad- 
ministering the sacraments. Mr. Asbury labored 
hard to reclaim them, but in vain, till the conference 
of 1780, when he persuaded them to suspend their 
new order for one year. This suspension was con- 
tinued until Mr. Wesley provided for the necessities 
of the society in a way that gave general satisfaction. 

It was during this period, too, that Methodism 
commenced its conflict with slavery, and received its 
first onset from slaveholders. It dared then to say, 
in Baltimore, that " ' slavery is contrary to the laws of 
God, man, and nature, and hurtful to society; con- 
trary to the dictates of conscience and pure religion, 
and doing that which we would not that others 
should do to us and ours." It spake out, also, 



272 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



against distilling liquor, and warned the people 
against these evils, as too wicked to be tolerated. 

REMARKABLE AWAKENINGS. 

But in the midst of all their perplexities they 
prospered. God wrought mightily upon the public 
heart, and many were born of the spirit. Mr. Ran- 
kin's account of Avhat he saw and felt on one occa- 
sion in Maryland, gives a pretty clear view of what 
was common in those times. He says: 

"At four in the afternoon I preached again, from 
* I set before thee an open door, and none can shut 
it.' I had gone through about two-thirds of my dis- 
course, and was bringing the words home to the 
present noiv, when such power descended that hun- 
dreds fell to the ground, and the house seemed to 
shake with the presence of God. The chapel was 
full of white and black, and many were without that 
could not get in. Look wherever we would, we saw 
nothing but streaming eyes, and faces bathed in 
tears, and heard nothing but the groans and prayers 
of the congregation. I then sat down in the pulpit, 
and both Mr. S. and I were so filled with the divine 
presence that we could only say, 'This is none other 
than the house of God ! this is the gate of heaven ! ' 
Husbands were inviting their wives to go to heaven, 
wives their husbands, parents their children, and 
children their parents, brothers their sisters, and sis- 
ters their brothers. In short, those who were happy 
in God themselves were for bringing all their friends 
to him in their arms. This mighty effusion of the 
Spirit continued for above an hour, in which many 
were awakened, some found peace with God, and 



EARLIEST PREACHERS. 



others his pure love. We attempted to speak or 
sing again and again, but we had no sooner begun 
than our voices were drowned. 

Sunday, 7. I preached at Watters's Chapel. I 
intended to preach near the house, under the shade 
of some large trees, but the rain made it impracti- 
cable. The house was very greatly crowded ; four or 
five hundred stood at the doors and windows, and 
listened with unabated attention. I preached from 
Ezekiel's vision of dry bones: 'And there was a 
great shaking.' I was obliged to stop again and 
again, and beg of the people to compose themselves, 
but they could not ; some on their knees, and some 
on thei ■ faces, were crying mightily to God all the 
time I was preaching. Hundreds of negroes were 
among them, with the tears streaming down their 
faces." 

Thus, by the divine blessing, the society stemmed 
the current, and gained a little every year, so that, 
in 1784, it numbered eighty-three traveling preachers, 
and 14,986 members. 

ORIGIN OF THE UNITED BRETHREN. 

It was during this period that the denomination 
known among us as "The United Brethren in Christ," 
or ''The German Methodists," was organized. Rev. 
Mr. Otterbein, a well-educated minister of the Ger- 
man Reformed Church, born on the Rhine, came to 
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1752, and, by some 
means, was led to seek a higher state of grace than 
was taught by liis people. This spoiled him for the 
place he occupied, his Church preferring to abide in 
their usual condition of spiritual death. With the 



\ 



2/4 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



aid of Mr. Asbury, he obtained the pastorate of 
a new church in Baltimore, Maryland, where he 
adopted most of the prudential arrangements of the 
Methodists, and soon organized the denomination 
before mentioned. He was an able man, a powerful 
preacher, and much admired by Mr. Asbury, and as- 
sisted Dr. Coke in ordaining him elder and superin- 
tendent. His followers now claim 967 traveling preach- 
ers, 742 local preachers, and 120,445 members. They 
are a plain, pious people, who adhere more rigidly 
to primitive Methodism than some others of less 
pretensions. 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



275 



CHAPTER III. 

THE SITUATION STATED METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

ORGANIZED PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE FROM 1 7 84 TO 

1792 CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO WASHINGTON 

JESSE lee's first EFFORTS IN MASSACHUSETTS, ETC. 

PRIOR to the conference of 1784, Methodists 
were peculiar in their Church relations, as in 
their spirit and modes of procedure. As we have 
already stated, Mr. Wesley's sole object was to re- 
vive spiritual religion in the Churches where he 
might labor, not to establish another Church. He 
therefore formed societies merely, and urged his fol- 
lowers to look to the Churches with which they 
might be identified for the sacraments — an awkward 
position, growing out of his prelatical notions. Mr. 
Asbury and most of his clerical associates had 
adhered rigidly to this policy, often to the great 
dissatisfaction of their followers; but, instead of re- 
ciprocating this extreme respect for the ridiculous 
assumptions of the Established Church, the clergy 
treated it with contempt. 

Methodists were therefore left to choose between 
disobeying God by the neglect of the sacraments 
and receiving them at the hands of a godless minis- 
try when and only when it should condescend to give 
them; but, at the breaking out of the war in 1775, 
most of the British clergy left the -country and 



2/6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



returned to England, cutting off even this source of 
supply. 

THE EMERGENCY HOW MET. 

In this state of affairs many of our people prop- 
erly refused to wait any longer for Mr. Wesley, and 
requested their own preachers to administer the sac- 
raments, and they did so. Though they reverenced 
him and Mr. Asbury, they could but see the folly 
of their adherence to a Church that did nothing for 
them, and was ready to crush them at every point; 
besides, this country was now free from England 
and its Established Church, and had nothing to do 
with either. The Protestant Episcopal Church had 
not been organized. The Baptists, Presbyterians, 
and other religious sects were generally Calvinistic, 
and regarded Methodists as peniters. There was no 
way to evade the issue any longer. Mr. Wesley 
saw the emergency and prepared for it. He had 
read himself comparatively free from his High- 
church notions several years before, and believed 
that he had as much Gospel right to ordain minis- 
ters as any bishop in England, but had declined to 
do it to avoid a break with his Church. Besides, the 
bishops had refused to ordain his preachers, either 
for the home or foreign work. What ought he to 
do in these circumstances? His duty was plain, and 
he ordained Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey 
elders, and then he ordained Dr. Coke, already a 
presbyter of the Church of England, superintendent 
or bishop, all for the American work; and, having 
thus broken the ice, he afterward ordained others for 
Scotland, the West Indies, and even for P^ngland. 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



277 



He also appointed Mr. Asbury joint superintend- 
ent, and authorized Dr. Coke to ordain him as such, 
and revised the Hturgy of the EngHsh Church for 
that purpose, as well as for the ordination of deacons 
and elders. The necessity was imperative, and the 
organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church was 
carried into effect on this basis, and gave general sat- 
isfaction. The result, we believe, clearly indicates 
the divine approval. 

These good men arrived in New York on the 3d 
of November, 1784. After consultation with Mr. 
Asbury and others, it was agreed to call a confer- 
ence of all the preachers, to convene in Baltimore 
the ensuing Christmas. The time arrived, and sixty 
of the eighty-three traveling preachers then in the 
connection appeared. Dr. Coke presided, assisted 
by Mr. Asbury. The first act of the conference was 
to elect Dr. Coke and Francis Asbury superintend- 
ents. This was done to accommodate the scruples 
of Mr. Asbury, who declined acting on the appoint- 
ment of Mr. Wesley without such an election — not 
that he doubted his authority, but he wished to 
know that his appointment was approved by the 
body over which he was to preside. He was then 
first ordained deacon, afterward elder, and finally 
consecrated by Dr. Coke and others to the office of 
superintendent, all according to Mr. Wesley's direc- 
tions. The conference then elected twelve others to 
the order of elder, who were duly consecrated by the 
imposition of hands, (Bangs's History, Vol. I, pp. 
149-167.) 

The conference of 1784 also adopted our present 
articles of religion and the general system of disci- 



2/8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



pline by which the Church has since been governed. 
Her prudential arrangements have, of course, expe- 
rienced various modifications, but the main features 
of the Disciphne agreed upon at that time have been 
sacredly maintained to the present ; and all was done, 
we repeat, by the advice and with the approval of 
Mr. Wesley. Indeed, he arranged nearly every thing 
in advance — the episcopacy, liturgy, doctrine, and 
Discipline, with a prayer-book. The prayer-book, 
however, with its accompanying trappings, the gown 
and bands, found little favor, and soon disappeared — 
we trust, forever — without any formal prohibition. 

THE PRACTICAL WORKING OF THE SYSTEM. 

Among the twelve elders ordained at this confer- 
ence were Freeborn Garrettson and O. Cromwell, 
who were designated for Nova Scotia. It was pro- 
posed to ordain Mr. Garrettson superintendent for 
that country, but he wisely preferred to survey the 
ground first, and did so with his co-laborer, winning 
many souls to God. About two years after, he 
returned to the States, leaving six hundred members 
in societies, preaching in Boston, Providence, and 
Newport on his way to the conference at Baltimore. 
Here he learned that Mr. Wesley was desirous of 
having him ordained as above stated, including the 
West Indies in his diocese, and he consented to do 
so after another year, provided the people of his 
proposed supervision should indicate their approval 
in the mean time. Dr. Coke was satisfied, and gave 
him a letter to the brethren in the West Indies. 
Here the matter rested; but, to his astonishment, 
when the appointments were announced, he found 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



279 



himself presiding elder in Maryland. How the 
change came to be made he never knew, and Mr. 
Wesley was much grieved by it. The next year he 
was set apart to open New England, but, finding 
the preacher at New York dying, he was obliged to 
take his place. But he did not confine himself to 
New York. Being supplied with several helpers, he 
pushed the work up north as far as Lake Champlain, 
planting little societies all along the way. 

THE FIRST COLLEGE STARTED. 

Another matter of importance connected with the 
organization of the Church, in 1784, was the estab- 
lishment of a college at Abingdon, twenty-five miles 
from Baltimore, on a beautiful spot, embracing six 
acres, secured for the purpose. A brick building 
one hundred and eight feet long by forty feet wide 
was erected and dedicated in 1787. Its foundation 
was laid by Dr. Coke, "attired in his long silk 
gown and flowing bands." (O, what a narrow 
escape Methodism made from the pomposity of 
Churchism!) Ten years after, it was burned to the 
ground. Bishop Asbury inferred from this disaster, 
with some reason, that it was no part of the duty of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church to found colleges. 
Dr. Coke, however, moved for a new building, and 
made a good beginning in the way of obtaining the 
necessary funds, when his attention was directed to 
Baltimore, where a suitable edifice was purchased 
and Cokesbury College revived with flattering pros- 
pects. This was also consumed by fire in a few 
months, which convinced Dr. Coke and many others 
that the mission of Methodism, for the present, at 



28o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



least, was saving souls rather than founding colleges, 
and little more was done in tKat direction for many- 
years. Yet we must say that we have never seen 
any arrangements for the management of a literary 
institution so thoroughly religious as were those of 
Cokesbury College. They are certainly worthy of the 
careful consideration of the educators of our Church 
at the present day. 

During 1785 three conferences were held, show- 
ing a considerable enlargement of the territory under 
cultivation, and an increase of 21 ministers and 3,012 
members. It was at this time, too, that the office 
of presiding elder was originated, though it was not 
called by this name until 1789. Having ordained 
but twelve elders out of eighty-three preachers to 
serve 14,988 members, scattered abroad over the 
land, it was necessary to divide the work into dis- 
tricts, with an elder at the head of each to travel 
around and administer the sacraments. Had the 
preachers been generally ordained, as they now are, 
the office would not probably have been thought of. 
As it was, it soon became the source of more ques- 
tioning and debate than any other in the Church, as 
will be seen hereafter. Its original foundations hav- 
ing been removed by the uniform ordination of the 
preachers, and no new powers having been assigned 
to it, some have failed to see sufficient reasons for its 
continuance. 

There were also three conferences held in 1786, 
revealing an increase of 2,681 members. Here, too, 
we find the first mention of colored members as dis- 
tinguished from others, showing that the preachers 
had given special attention to this unfortunate race. 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



281 



The number reported this year was 1,869, ^"^^ thou- 
sand of whom were connected with the mission at 
Antigua, and were soon after transferred to the care 
of the British Conference. The following year, the 
conference said: 

'*We conjure all our ministers and preachers by 
the love of God, and the salvation of souls, and do 
require them, by all the authority that is vested in 
us, to leave nothing undone for the spiritual benefit 
and salvation of the colored people, within their 
respective circuits or districts, . . . and to ex- 
ercise the whole Methodist discipline among them." 

And they found some prodigies, as we do now. 
Henry Hosier, called ''Black Harry," was one of 
them. He traveled as Bishop Asbury's servant, and 
preached to colored people. Dr. Rush, of Phila- 
delphia, pronounced him ''the greatest orator in 
America." He acted as driver for the bishops, par- 
ticipating in their religious services, and excelling 
all of them in popularity. They had no fears of 
putting Harry into the pulpit in their place. He 
was sure to give satisfaction. If they had any fears 
about a congregation, the announcement of his name 
would bring one. He died in the Lord in 18 10, 
and was buried in Philadelphia with distinguished 
honor. 

Our limits will not allow us to detail the travels 
and labors of the bishops. Suffice it to say they 
were always on the wing, supervising the work al- 
ready established and opening new fields, reaching 
from New York to South Carolina and Georgia, and 
west into Kentucky and Ohio. Dr. Coke also vis- 
ited England and the West Indies, from whence he 

24 



282 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



returned just in time to attend the conference of 1787. 
The last one for the year met at Baltimore, where 
his administration was called in question, he having 
exercised certain authority over the American work 
while in Europe, changing the time and place of the 
conference, and thus overriding the action of that 
body. But he made it all right at once by signing 
a paper promising not to repeat the offense, and to 
keep within the proscribed limits. (Bangs' s History, 
Vol. I, page 257.) He was a live man, often acted 
without suitable deliberation, but always meaning 
well, and ready to retract when convinced of his error. 

This was generally satisfactory, and the affair was 
a capital thing, on the whole, as it rebuked the first 
unauthorized exercise of authority in the bishops, 
and admonished them to be careful. But to make 
a sure thing of the correction, the conference an- 
swered the question in the minutes, ''Who are the 
superintendents of our Church in these United 
States?" in the following suggestive words: "Thomas 
Coke (when present in the States) and Francis As- 
bury. " Besides, it indicates the vigilance with which 
the early fathers guarded their rights, and protected 
themselves against the exercise of excessive episcopal 
authority. 

This same conference took another step in the 
direction of self-control. Mr. Wesley had appointed 
Garrettson and Whatcoat superintendents, and Dr. 
Coke urged their election on the ground of their 
previous pledge to obey Mr. Wesley during his life. 
But the conference fearing that Mr. Wesley would 
call Asbury home if they elected Whatcoat, declined 
to do so, without the least disrespect to him. And 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



283 



to relieve themselves of any real or imaginary obli- 
gation to obey Wesley against their own judgment, 
they left their former commitment to obedience out 
of the published minutes. 

This was probably a wise measure. The confer- 
ence justly thought that they understood their cir- 
cumstances and wants better than Mr. Wesley. It 
was the love of the cause that controlled their ac- 
tion. They had good reason to fear that Mr. As- 
bury would be taken from them. Asbury was not 
so aristocratic or Churchish as either Rankin or 
Coke, and some body had represented him in a way 
to Wesley to impair confidence in his loyalty. 

CHANGE IN TITLE. ^ 

As we have before seen, Mr. Wesley, in revis- 
ing the English Ritual for the use of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, substituted the term superin- 
tendent for bishop, and elder for presbyter, as he 
had before employed the word society in place of 
Church. Still he meant bishop and presbyter just as 
much as if he had used the terms. The change was 
made to avoid giving offense. The conference of 
1784 accepted these terms, knowing their import, and 
employed them till 1787, when they commenced to 
call their superintendents bishops, and so denominated 
them in their Discipline. But there was no reordina- 
tion, no additional prerogatives imposed or assumed, 
no change whatever except in the name. It was not 
done by Coke nor Asbury, but by the conference, 
and was published in the Minutes as follows: 

"We have constituted ourselves into an Episco- 
pal Church, under the direction of bishops, ciders, 



284 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



deacons, and preachers, according to the form of or- 
dination annexed to our prayer-book, and the regula- 
tions laid down in this form of discipline." 

The conference, however, wrote a conciliatory 
letter to Mr. Wesley, inviting him to visit his Amer- 
ican children, and get a better understanding of their 
situation and interests. But, notwithstanding, Mr, 
Wesley was afflicted that his name was left out of the 
Minutes, so to speak, in the matter of obedience be- 
fore mentioned. He complained of this, and objected 
to the change of title of superintendent to bishop, 
for the same reason that he preferred superintendent 
at first; namely, because it might be less offensive to 
the National Church, no other whatever. But the 
Revolution had freed this countiy from allegiance to 
that body, and there was no reason outside of Mr. 
Wesley's preference why American Methodists should 
still crouch under the vain assumptions of a foreign 
hierarchy, that had only sought their ruin from the 
beginning. But there was good reason why they 
should openly and unmistakably a^^ow their real po- 
sition, as the first Protestant Episcopal Church in 
this country. 

PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE. 

This was a year of extraordinary revivals, at- 
tended with powerful preaching, pra}'er, conversions, 
and rejoicings, strange at that time, but similar to 
what we now see in many places, yielding an increase 
of sixteen ministers, and 5,161 members. 

The year 1788 introduced Methodism along the 
Hudson, and north, to Lake Champlain, and gave 
some six hundred members to the Church. Bishop 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



285 



Asbury crossed the Alleghany Mountains, finding 
plenty of sin and hard fare. He says, "We jour- 
neyed on through devious lonely wilds, where no 
food might be found, except what grew in the woods, 
or was carried with us. . . . Near midnight 

we stopped at A 's who hissed his dogs at us. 

Brothers Phoebus and Cook took to the woods. I 
lay along the floor on a few deer-skins with the fleas. 
That night our poor horses got no corn, and the 
next morning they had to swim across the Monon- 
gahela. . . . O, how glad should I be of a 
plain, clean plank to lie on, as preferable to most of 
the beds." 

Seven conferences were held this year. The one 
at Baltimore was attended with great power, and 
many were converted, and some three hundred added 
to the Church in that city. The increase for the year 
was 11,512 members and thirty-three preachers, more 
than double what it had ever been before in a single 
year. This great expansion of the work swelled the 
number of circuits, and called for more conferences. 
Accordingly eleven were held the year following, the 
most southernly in Georgia, and the most northernly 
in New York. One would have been sufficient, but 
for the vast extent of country embraced, and the diffi- 
culty of traveling. But though averaging less than 
sixteen preachers to each conference, they all grew 
to unmanageable proportions. This year, circuits 
were formed at Schenectady, New York, and Stam- 
ford Circuit, indicating progress, or at least, progress- 
ive intentions in these directions. 

The conferences seeing that Mr. Wesley was 
afflicted by their leaving his name out of the min- 



286 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



utes, as before stated, modified their action this year 
so as to recognize him as their chief bishop. 

CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS TO WASHINGTON. 

We have before hinted at the suspicion cherished 
during the war in relation to the preachers, and the 
persecutions they experienced from that source. 
This being the year of the adoption of the American 
Constitution and the election of Washington as first 
president, who Avas then attending Congress in the 
City of New York, wdiere the conference was assem- 
bled, Dr. Coke suggested to the preachers the pro- 
priety of presenting a congratulatory address to him, 
avowing their approval of the Constitution, and their 
allegiance to the Government. The conference warmly 
and unanimously accepted it, and appointed him and 
Bishop Asbury to prepare one. The address was 
promptly written, indorsed by the conference, and 
Thomas Morrell and John Dickins were delegated 
to see the President, show him a copy of the address, 
and ascertain when it would suit his convenience to 
receive the bishops, and hear the address from them. 
The President appointed the fourth succeeding day, 
at twelve o'clock. They, accordingly, went, and 
Bishop Asbury read the address, to which the Presi- 
dent read his reply. (See Addresses, Bangs's Hist., 
Vol. I, pp. 284, 285.) In a few days both docu- 
ments appeared in the papers, much to the mortifica- 
tion of other denominations, which, though old and 
strong, had allowed the young Methodist Episcopal 
Church, an offshoot from Great Britain, to lead them 
in paying their respects to the first president, and to 
the government over which he presided. They, 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



287 



nevertheless, followed the good example in due time. 
But somebody was too much stung by this circum- 
stance, or too prejudiced against Methodism to keep 
quiet, and came out in the papers, inquiring. Who 
is this Dr. Coke ? who made him a bishop ? who 
consecrated him? etc., accompanied with various 
charges and criticisms, objecting particularly to a 
British subject signing an address approving of the 
American Government. This gave Mr. Morrell a 
fair chance to tell the public who the doctor was, 
where he came from, wdiat he was doing, who the 
Methodists were, what they proposed, and to vindi- 
cate the Church. Thus, prejudice contributed again 
to help forward the cause which needed just such an 
exposition to draw attention to its movements. 

If there was a little inconsistency in Dr. Coke's 
signing the address, as some of his countrymen 
thought, there was none in Bishop Asbury's doing 
so. His heart and citizenship were here, though a 
native Englishman. And few excelled him in his 
admiration of Washington. "Matchless man!" said 
he. "At all times he acknowledged the providence 
of God, and never was he ashamed of his Redeemer. 
We believe he died not fearing death. In his will 
he ordered the manumission of his slaves — a true son 
of liberty at all points." (Journal, Vol. II, p. 439.) 

METHODISM IN NEW ENGLAND. 

Though occasional sermons had been preached in 
New England prior to 1789, no systematic effort had 
been made to organize societies. Religion was es- 
tablished by law in two or three States, and Church 
and State were supported by the community at large, 



288 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and from a common treasury. Parish lines were 
strictly drawn, and rigid Calvinism was the prevailing 
doctrine taught by the clergy, though Unitarianism 
was beginning to appear at some points. Of course, 
Methodism was regarded as a dangerous innovation. 
In this state of affairs Jesse Lee visited Norwalk, 
Connecticut, June 17, 1789, and preached under an 
apple-tree in the road, no house, either public or pri- 
vate, being opened to him. The next day he rode 
to Fairfield, and preached in the court-house under 
great discouragements ; but after the meeting he was 
directed by a lady at the tavern, where he stopped, 
to visit her sister, who was a very pious woman. He 
did so the day following, and found a little band of 
congenial spirits who had been praying for the com- 
ing of some such preacher. They were the fruits of 
the labors of Mr. Black, one of the preachers who 
passed through the place on his way from Nova 
Scotia to Baltimore, four years before. This gave 
him a grand start for a society. The following Sab- 
bath he preached at New Haven in the court-house, 
with encouraging prospects. From there he went to 
Stratford, Milford, Danbury, and Canaan, which 
towns, with some others, he organized into a circuit, 
forming the first society at Stratford on the 26th of 
September following, consisting of three females, and 
the next at Reading, consisting of one male and one 
female. The first Methodist ChiircJi in New England 
was erected at Weston, Connecticut, and was called 
Lee's Chapel. The following February, Jacob Brush, 
George Roberts, and Daniel Smith, came to his assist- 
ance, meeting him at a quarterly -meeting at Dan- 
town, where the power of God was so manifested 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



289 



that the people cried aloud for mercy, scaring- the 
congregation so that some even jumped out of the 
windows. Going from place to place, preaching 
without a call, notes, pay, or churches, and making 
no little stir among the people, the clergy opened 
upon them, calling them "wolves in sheeps' clothing," 
'' false prophets, who should come in the latter day," 
etc., and warned the people to stand aloof Many, 
however, followed them ; sinners were converted, and 
societies began to multiply. 

Long Island, too, w^iich was slightly opened by 
Captain Webb, but suffered great disturbances from 
the war, received new attention, and entered upon a 
career which has resulted in a church in nearly every 
village, divided now into two presiding elders' dis- 
tricts, embracing, at present, 19,334 members and 
probationers. 

A NEW LEGISLATIVE PROJECT. 

The conferences having multiplied, the difficulty 
of doing business authoritatively had greatly increased, 
as no action of any one of them was valid unless ap- 
proved by the others; and the gathering of all the 
preachers into one conference seemed quite incon- 
venient, if not impossible. To meet these difficulties 
it was agreed to form a council, to consist of the 
bishops and presiding elders, with plenary powers to 
act for the whole body, under certain limitations. The 
plan was ill-advised, and liable to many objections. 
The council, however, met twice, and held pleasant 
sessions, but was found, on further consideration, to 
be sadly wanting, making the bishops and their ap- 
pointees — the presiding elders — legislators as well as 

25 



290 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



administrators. It then gave way, and its objects 
were afterward provided for by the organization of 
the General Conference. 

OF BOOKS AND TRACTS. 

Mr. Wesley, as we have noticed, began the pub- 
lication of religious books and tracts at the very out- 
set of his reformatory career, and required his assist- 
ants and helpers to circulate them. His followers in 
this country at first obtained their supplies from him 
at a liberal cost, and much inconvenience. But, 
having become an independent Church, and needing 
denominational books, which he did not publish, 
Rev. John Dickins was constituted "book-steward" 
this year, and commenced the publishing business in 
Philadelphia on a borrowed capital of six hundred 
dollars, which he loaned to the conference. He first 
issued Thomas a Kempis's "Imitation of Christ," 
to which he soon added the "Saint's Rest," "Prim- 
itive Physic," and a hymn-book, for use in the 
Churches, to take the place of one previously obtained 
of Mr. Wesley. This is the beginning of our Book 
Concerns, which we shall hereafter notice more fully 
in a separate chapter. 

OTHER EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS. 

The year 1790 opened with 196 traveling preach- 
ers, and 43,262 members, showing a considerable 
increase. "Let us labor," said the conferences, "as 
the heart and soul of one man, to establish Sunday- 
schools. " ' ' Let persons be appointed to teach gratis^ 
all that will attend, from six in the morning till ten, 
and from two in the afternoon till six;" and the 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



291 



council was requested to compile a school-book to 
teach learning and piety." This was the first 
organized effort to establish Sunday-schools on the 
continent. Asbury formed the first school of the 
kind four years before, at Thomas Cranshaw's house, 
in Virginia. This was the beginning of that magnifi- 
cent system of Sabbath-school operations which now 
spreads its net-work over the whole country. 

This was also a year of revivals, yielding a net in- 
crease of 31 preachers, 14,369 members, but it 
involved an immense amount of personal sacrifice 
and hard work. Asbury crossed the Alleghany 
Mountains again, some of which arose before him 
like the *'roof of a house." He swam several creeks, 
too ; slept in log huts and in the woods, and traveled 
2,578 miles, chiefly on horseback (there being no 
railroads or steamboats then), between December 14, 
1789, and April 20, 1 790. But in the midst of his 
toils, he exclaimed, "Glory! glory to our God." 
Though he was surrounded by wild beasts, and some- 
times by murderous Indians, the Lord preserved 
him. Returning to the sea-board, he was accom- 
panied by some fifty others, twenty of whom were 
armed. 

THE WORK COMMENCED IN MASSACHUSETTS. 

Methodism was this year carried to Boston. Mr. 
Boardman had preached there in passing some 
eighteen years before, but no permanent stand was 
attempted. Mr. Lee, having established several cir- 
cuits in Connecticut, thought it time to try his 
fortune in Massachusetts. He therefore wandered 
along through the country to Boston uninvited and 



292 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



unheralded. He was not met by the governor's son 
and a troop of ministers and honorable citizens ten 
miles out to be escorted into the city, as was White- 
field many years before. After spending a week in 
reconnoitering to find a place to preach, and being 
refused on every side, he borrowed a table, and plac- 
it under the old elm near the center of the common, 
planted himself upon it in Quakerish costume, and 
began to sing and pray with a congregation of four 
persons. At the close of the service it had increased 
to three thousand. The next Sabbath he repeated 
the experiment in the same place, and preached to 
many more; but his success was not great. Though 
his appearance and style of address were quite sin- 
gular, and calculated to excite curiosity, and his 
doctrines more consistent than those which generally 
prevailed in the community, the people were slow to 
favor his cause. 

Rigid Calvinism was then the prevailing theology 
of the State, and no man could hold a civil office or 
vote who did not belong to the Church, and property 
was taxable to support the Church, whether its 
owners believed its doctrines or not. To favor Meth- 
odism, therefore, cost one the sacrifice of every 
earthly interest. Only such as were brought to feel 
that they must do so, or jeopard their souls dared 
to do it. Those who believed that God had elected 
all he intended to save, and that he would call and 
convert them in his "own good time," regarded the 
universal atonement, taught by Mr. Lee, as a most 
dangerous heresy, though it is difficult to see how it 
could be so, if all things were settled from eternity. 
The few who rejected this doctrine, generally 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



discarded the divinity of Christ, and the new birth, 
and could not receive him because he maintained 
both. Besides, spiritual religion was extremely low, 
the elect often giving little better evidence of piety 
than some who were accounted reprobates. Conver- 
sion was not considered indispensable for ministers of 
the Gospel, if they were well educated and were sound 
in the ''doctrines of grace;" that is, in Calvinism, 
Nor was it deemed a necessary prerequisite to partic- 
ipation in the Lord's-supper. Mr. Lee's chances for 
success, therefore, looking on the human side of the 
question, were not very flattering. 

But, then, he had good common-sense — good 
sound theology, that he knew how to explain and 
defend from the Bible — a multitude of demonstrative 
practical facts, acquired by reading and observation, 
and a most blessed and happy present experience 
of the religion which he recommended to others. 
Though not a linguist, he had a little knowledge of 
Dutch, which he had picked up in the Middle States, 
and it sometimes helped him out. For, when his 
theological critics addressed him in Greek or Latin 
to demonstrate his ignorance, he would answer in 
Dutch, which was as incomprehensible to them as 
Greek was to him. With these endowments he was 
prepared to meet every emergency, and make an 
impression on the judgment and hearts of his hearers. 
Assailing pre-election, pre-reprobation, final persever- 
ance, limited atonement, infant damnation, etc., fun- 
damental sentiments of the day, he could but create a 
sensation. Then preaching without notes, and in the 
evening without a candle, in the streets and fields when 
he could do no better, a failure seemed hardly possible. 



294 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Yet he did not effect a permanent opening, and 
passed on to Lynn, Newburyport, and Portsmouth. 
On his return, he tried Boston again, but in vain, 
and had to resort to his old stand on the common. 
After attending the conference in New York, he 
returned to Boston, wliere lie spent several -weeks to 
secure a place to preach, but utterly failed. Every 
house was closed against him. In the midst of these 
discouragements, which were much aggravated by an 
empty purse, he received a letter from a gentleman 
in Lynn, inviting him to his house. This was a ray 
of light. After making other fruitless efforts, he left 
and went, letter in hand, to Benjamin Johnson's in 
Lynn, and was cordially received. Here he preached 
the first Methodist sermon ever delivered in that town, 
and felt at home. The people proposed to form a 
society at once, but he put them off until he should 
give unimpressible Boston another trial. February 
20, 1 79 1, he returned to Lynn, and formed a society 
of eight members, which was increased to seventy in 
three months, and culminated finally in the old Lynn 
Common Church, the honored mother of a dozen 
vigorous daughters, still flourishing under her mater- 
nal smiles. The 14th of June following, they com- 
menced to build the first Methodist Church in Mas- 
sachusetts. It was raised on the 21st of the same 
month, and dedicated on the 26th, though a mere 
wooden shell, without form or comeliness, but a great 
deal better than nothing. 

Making Lynn his head-quarters, Mr. Lee sallied 
forth in all directions, not overlooking Boston, which 
seemed to be his special point of interest. Fortu- 
nately the ice began to yield, though no society was 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



295 



formed there until the next year, nor in any other 
place in the State except in Lynn. He also went to 
Maine and planted his standard in that Province. 
New Hampshire and Rhode Island, too, shared his 
labors. The work was hard and difficult, but God 
was with him, and the seed sown took root in many 
places, and he returned to the south, leaving that 
new field in such other hands as Providence had 
furnished. 

Some eighteen years after (1808), he visited it 
again, and found that it had ripened into the New 
England Conference, with six districts; namely, Bos- 
ton, New London, Vermont, New Hampshire, Port- 
land, and Kennebeck, presided over by noble men 
whose names will never be forgotten, as follows : John 
Brodhead, Elijah R. Sabin, Thomas Branch, Elijah 
Hedding, Joshua Soule, and Oliver Beale. He also 
found 8,861 members. Daniel Webb and Martin 
Ruter were stationed, at Boston, over three hundred 
and forty members, all of whom received him as their 
father. He preached the first evening in the old 
church, and the next in the new, and passed on to Lynn, 
to be greeted by Dan Young, the pastor, and one hun- 
dred and seventy members. Maine and New Hamp- 
shire opened their arms wide to receive him, and say 
''farewell until we meet in heaven." A crowd 
attended him every-where, so that the churches could 
not accommodate them, and he preached to them in 
the forest. He spent forty-three days in Maine, and 
preached forty-seven sermons. Hurrying to New 
Hampshire, he preached seven farewell sermons in 
less than a week, and about the same number in less 
time in Connecticut, when he fled to Garrettson's 



296 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



^ ^ Traveler s Rest,'' at Rhinebeck, New York. It 
was a great occasion for him and for the multitudes 
who hstened to his patriarchal words. 

Such was the beginning of Methodism in New 
England. It cost a struggle; and the struggle has 
continued ever since, though generally with much 
less heroism and persistence. Less effort than was 
made by Lee to plant Methodism in Boston, with our 
present facilities, would establish a church in every 
considerable town in the State. 

But the investment has paid well, i. In the con- 
version and organization of tens of thousands of sin- 
ners, some of whom still remain in the Churches, num- 
bering over forty thousand in Massachusetts alone. 
2. In the overthrow of a system of doctrines calcu- 
lated to sap the foundation of all Christian motives 
and enterprise, so that it is now maintained, if at all, 
in comparative silence. 3. In the quickening of 
other Christian Churches; most of whom have largely 
adopted our sentiments, music, and methods of social 
worship and progress, much to their improvement 
in all respects. 4. In exploding and neutralizing 
sundry other errors that could not be successfully 
resisted from the stand-point of preordination, as 
formerly understood and preached. 

But notwithstanding these changes in the commu- 
nity for the better, there is ample room for Method- 
ists, and our chances for usefulness were never more 
flattering than now, provided that we maintain the 
''joy of salvation,'" and adhere to our original object; 
namely, to save sinners. If we la}" this aside and 
apply ourselves to minor and collateral interests, how- 
ever good, and lower our spiritual temper to the 



CHURCH ORGANIZED. 



297 



philosophical frigidity of the times, we shall fail. 
Methodism must be aggressive or perish. It was 
made for war, not peace; for motion, not rest; for 
advance, not retreat. The moment we become sat- 
isfied with holding our own," we begin to die. 
And when we shall determine in the spirit of Jesse 
Lee to plant a Church in every town where needed, 
at whatever cost, it will be done. Formerly other 
denominations were afraid of us, now they are not. 
Christians of all sects will welcome us when they see 
that we have the right spirit, and aim to do good. 



298 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER IV. 



GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 7 92 SECESSION OF o'KELLY 

PROGRESS OF THE WORK REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCA- 
SIONS ORIGIN OF CAMP-MEETINGS GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE OF 1800, ETC. 



HE first General Conference after the organiza- 



-fi- tion of the Church met at BaUimore, November 
I, 1792. It is called general, because all the preach- 
ers in full connection were invited to attend it. The 
several conferences which had been held from year 
to year were sectional, and embraced only a few of 
the preachers near the place of meeting, and no 
action was valid unless indorsed by all of them. 
This was not only inconvenient, but dangerous to 
the harmony of the connection. The council before 
mentioned was designed to remedy this evil, but the 
preachers were justly afraid to put so much power 
into the hands of the bishops, and after two meet- 
ings the arrangement was dropped by common con- 
sent, Asbury requesting that it might never be 
mentioned again in the conference, though he was 
the reputed father of it. Its death was a triumph 
to liberal views. 

This conference, like its predecessors, was under 
no disciplinary restriction, and had free course with 
doctrine and discipline to alter both at discretion. 
It therefore wisely determined at the outset that it 




REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 299 



should require a vote of tzvo-thirds of the conference 
to make a new rule or to abolish an old one. 

Before noticing the action of this body, it may 
be well to remind the reader that it was but twenty- 
six years previous to this time that the first Meth- 
odist sermon was preached in the country, and eight 
years since the Church was organized with bishops, 
elders, and the sacraments, and that it numbered 
266 traveling preachers and 65,980 members. The 
population of the country was then about foiir 7nill- 
ions ; hence, reckoning three friends to one member, 
nearly one-fifteenth of the whole people must have 
affiliated with the Methodists, which indicates a won- 
derful growth for so short a time. Other denomi- 
nations commenced their work here with the first 
settlement of the country, and had every thing in 
their favor. Methodists began later and encountered 
much opposition, yet they prospered beyond all pre- 
cedent. The secret of their success will be consid- 
ered hereafter. 

THE FIRST SECESSION ITS CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES. 

Their itinerant policy was not tempting to ministe- 
rial pride and ambition. Indeed, it was exceedingly 
offensive to some, being in glaring conflict with the 
boasted republicanism of the day. The second day 
of the conference, James O'Kelly, a flaming Irish- 
man, and one of the ablest members, introduced 
a resolution requiring the bishops to report the 
appointments of the preachers to the conferences, 
and to make changes in them as the conferences 
might suggest. This led to a powerful debate, 
which continued for several days, when the resolu- 



300 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



tion was rejected by a large majority. Mr. O' Kelly 
Avas offended, and Avithdrew from the body. Every 
thing was done to conciliate him, but without lasting 
effect. After a time, he commenced a violent cru- 
sade against the Church, and drew off several preach- 
ers and people — in some places whole societies; and, 
to secure the patronage of the leading political party 
of Virginia, he organized them under the imposing 
name of "Repubhcan Methodists." But, this not 
working to his satisfaction, the name was changed 
to ''The Christian Church," which seemed to un- 
christianize all other denominations, and brought a 
storm about his ears that was not anticipated; but 
the old man struggled on, abused the Church from 
the pulpit and in pamphlets in the severest manner, 
and did an immense amount of mischief But he 
found it easier to break down the old Church than 
to organize a better one. All the traveling preach- 
ers he took with him returned except one, but the 
members were strangely scattered, so that the Church 
suffered a decrease during the four following years 
of nearly eleven tJiotisand. At length his popularity 
waned, and his society fell into differences, and the 
whole thing exploded, having done much harm and 
little if any good. O'Kelly died October i6, 1826, 
in the ninety-second year of his age, a disappointed 
old man, not only mortified Avith the failure of his 
own mighty efforts to establish a better Church, but 
with the rapid progress of the one that brought him 
to God and gave him an honorable position, Avhich 
had increased, since his defection, in 1792, from 266 
preachers and 65,980 members to 1,406 preachers 
and 360,884 iTiembers. Bishop Asbury, who seemed 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 30I 



to be the object of his special hatred, being in Vir- 
ginia, the field of his operations, and hearing of his 
sickness, called and prayed with him, but without 
eliciting any reference to former times or troubles. 

This was the first secession from the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of any note. Like all its succes- 
sors, it was on governmental, not doctrinal grounds, 
and resulted from impatience in seeking what were 
considered to be improvements. The same question 
was then agitating the British Conference, and was 
carried, the stationing committee being required to 
report to the conference, when any aggrieved brother 
might ask and receive a change in his appointment, 
if the conference deemed it advisable. O'Kelly had 
strong supporters — even a majority, it is said, at 
first — and, had he been less severe and more patient, 
he might have secured some satisfactory modifica- 
tion. The masterly debate elicited by his propo- 
sition surprised the bishops, who had no idea of the 
ability of their helpers till it was there developed. 
Says Bishop Asbury: "We continued our confer- 
ence for fifteen days. I had always entertained very 
high ideas of the piety and zeal of the American 
preachers, and of the considerable abilities of many; 
but I had no expectation, I confess, that the de- 
bates would be carried on in so masterly a manner." 
Some unpleasant feelings w^ere excited, but, after all, 
peace generally prevailed. 

But the effects of this movement did not soon 
disappear. Some who seceded lost their religion 
and their souls, we fear; others, who retained some 
regard for the cause, became too much disaffected to 
be at home and useful in any Church, while a preju- 



302 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



dice was created against Methodism and religion 
itself, in the community, that was not easily over- 
come. But it settled the question of appeal from 
the appointment of the bishops for some time. 

We hear no more of restricting the appointing 
power until the year 1800, when Dr. Coke intro- 
duced it, and finally recommended that the new 
bishop (not applying it at all to Bishop Asbury) be 
assisted in making the appointments by a committee 
of three or four preachers to be chosen by the con- 
ference. This, was rejected, with several propositions 
of like effect. The next that was heard about re- 
stricting the appointing power was in the year 1808, 
when it was proposed so to alter the Discipline as to 
allow the conferences to elect the presiding elders. 
This proposition was ably discussed, and rejected 
by a vote of seventy-tlirce to fifty-two. In 18 12, the 
same question was again introduced, and, after a 
thorough discussion, the proposition was rejected 
by a majority of only three. Four years later, it 
met the same fate, though it was presented in a 
modified form. In 1820, it was again discussed, and 
disposed of as before; but, there being considerable 
feeling on the subject, it was called up again in the 
spirit of compromise, and referred to a committee 
composed of an equal number of brethren of differ- 
ent views, to confer with the bishops and strike out 
some course that might conciliate all parties. Their 
report recommended that on the occurrence of vacan- 
cies in the presiding eldership, the presiding bishop 
should nominate three times the number wanted, 
out of which the conference should elect the neces- 
sary number by ballot, and the presiding elders thus 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 303 



elected should be an advisory council to the bishops 
in appointing the preachers. The report was adopted 
by a vote of sixty-one in favor to twenty-five against 
it, and it was supposed this would put the question 
to rest, perhaps forever. 

But this was not the case. Bishop Soule, who 
had been elected to the episcopal office a few days 
previous, signified to the conference that he thought 
the measure unconstitutional, and he should not con- 
form to it. Bishop M'Kendree, in a feeble state of 
health, urged that it was unconstitutional, and sub- 
versive of the superintendency, and also of the itin- 
erancy. The former tendered his resignation, which 
was accepted, and the conference adhered to its posi- 
tion; but, considering the age of Bishop M'Kendree, 
the decision of Bishop Soule, and the anxiety of 
many others, it was voted to suspend the new rule 
for four years. The next General Conference con- 
tinued the suspension; but, in 1828, the rule was 
rescinded, since which little has been attempted on 
the subject. 

The first General Conference was composed of all 
the traveling preachers who pleased to attend. In 
the year 1800, it was limited to those who had 
traveled four years. In 1808, it w^as agreed that it 
should be composed in future of one delegate for 
every five members of each annual conference. The 
ratio of representation has since been altered, as the 
ministry has increased in number. It is now one 
clerical delegate to every fo?iy-five members, besides 
several lay delegates, and the conference assembles 
May 1st, once in four years, and is governed by a 
constitution, limiting its powers, adopted also in 



304 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



1808. This constitution is popularly known as the 
Restrictive Rules," and may be seen in the Disci- 
pline, in the section which defines the duties and 
powers of the General Conference. 

PROGRESS OF THE WORK. 

Taking our leave of the conference of 1792, we 
move pleasantly along amid labors and triumphs 
for many years. The men on whom it devolved to 
command, in those days, were extraordinary charac- 
ters. Dr. Coke, Bishop Asbury, Jesse Lee, George 
Roberts, Freeborn Garrettson, Ezekiel Cooper, Ben- 
jamin Abbott, and others, acted a chivalrous part, 
and left their successors an example of prudent legis- 
lation and of heroic effort that can never be for- 
gotten. New England was about the hardest field 
they found to cultivate; but even this yielded to 
their perseverance, and many societies were organ- 
ized. Methodists in two of these States were obliged 
to pay their parish taxes to suppojt the Calvinistic 
clergy, have their property attached, or go to jail. 
Several distinguished men, known to the writer, have 
passed away within a few years, who submitted to 
imprisonment, because they could not conscientiously 
pay taxes to support a system they believed to be 
false and dangerous, the parish thinking a little 
prison discipline would have a better effect in subdu- 
ing their obstinacy than the loss of a few articles 
of property which it might have taken. Others 
had their goods seized to meet parish claims, 
when it was known they were Methodists, and 
supported Methodist preaching. But this state of 
things could not long endure. The right of peti- 



REMARKABLE ME IV AND OCCASIONS. 305 



tion" had not then been trampled down, and Method- 
ists, and others who were not so wedded to popu- 
lar views as to be bHnd to the claims of 'justice, 
prayed the honorable court of legislation to allow 
them to worship God according to the dictates of 
their own consciences. They were only ridiculed at 
first, but afterward they succeeded in throwing off 
\h^yoke, and securing the right of thinking for them- 
selves, and sustaining such views and modes of wor- 
ship as they considered Scriptural. How much the 
various classes of dissenters in Massachusetts and 
Connecticut ow^e to the Methodists for the liberties 
they have long enjoyed in this particular, they can not 
now realize. 

Methodism was little less troublesome by reason 
of its Arminian theology than by its methods. It 
broke over parish lines, that had been drawn by 
law with great precision, and planted itself wherever 
sinners could be induced to repent and believe the 
Gospel. And its ministry, instead of taking any par- 
ticular location, ransacked the whole country, and 
excited the people to think about their souls. All 
these things, and many others, created a prejudice, 
and brought out the clergy in violent resistance of 
the new measures. The pulpit rang with denuncia- 
tions of Methodism. Its real views were misrepre- 
sented ; its errors were magnified ; its ministers decried 
as the false prophets and deceivers that should come, 
and its assemblies persecuted and scattered. But, 
nevertheless, the Lord converted some, and the cause 
lived, not to be loved, we fear, by the dominant 
sect, but to be more patiently endured, if not re- 
spected. And not only so, but it lived to modify 

26 



3o6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the body that at first repelled it with the greatest 
virulence and force. Not that it was entirely con- 
verted to the new faith or modes of operation, but 
it became so essentially improved in its public in- 
structions, and various movements for the conversion 
of souls, as to look very unlike its former self 
This, we trust, will not be denied. It has been rec- 
ognized on both sides of the house. Methodists 
have rejoiced to see their theology and ecclesias- 
tical regimen transforming and imbuing other sys- 
tems, and the rigid Calvinist has mourned over the 
defection of his people, and longed for the good old 
days, now, alas ! forever gone. 

In other States and territories Methodism had less 
of this kind of opposition to resist. Much of the 
country was new, and IMethodists Avere permitted to 
take an even start with other Christian sects. The 
result was, in many places they commanded the faith 
and affections of the people, and have been the lead- 
ing denomination ever since, proving the superior 
adaptation of their system to convert men to God, 
where it can have an "open field and fair play," by 
exceeding all its competitors in rapid growth and 
influence. 

Dr. Bangs speaks of its early conflicts in these 
w^ords : 

''For some time the number of IMethodists in 
this country was so inconsiderable that other denom- 
inations affected to treat them with silent contempt; 
and if, occasionally, the}^ condescended to notice 
them at all, it was more in the wa}' of caricature and 
misrepresentation than by sober argument, or an at- 
tempt at a fair and direct refutation of their doctrine 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 307 



and usages. The high churchman would sneer at 
our ordination, and, wrapping himself in the cloak of 
apostolical succession, with an air of assumed dig- 
nity, prate about 'John Wesley's lay bishops,' as 
though these jokes were sufficient to put us out of 
countenance. Others, panoplied in the stern decrees 
of Calvin, and priding themselves in their exclusive 
orthodoxy, would tantalize us, 'with salvation by the 
merit of good works, the omnipotency of free-will^ 
and the unsoundness of our doctrine of justifica- 
tion;' while some would smile at 'baby baptism,' as 
an affront offered to the Deity, and an innovation 
upon apostolic usage." 

OF CHURCH LEGISLATION. 

In respect to Church legislation in the early times 
of which we are speaking, it needs only be said it 
was moderate; consisting in those slight changes 
which the progress of the cause seemed to demand. 
The General Conference of 1796 contemplated the 
numerous locations that had annually occurred with 
deep regret. And yet, while the labor was so ex- 
cessively hard, the fare so poor, and the liability of 
premature old age, with poverty and want, was so 
great, there was little room to complain. To relieve 
these difficulties, and, if possible, check the tendency 
to location, the conference established what is now 
known as the Chartered Fund," and provided for 
an address to the people to meet the emergency, by 
contributing of their substance. Though this meas- 
ure did not make up the .deficiencies of the preach- 
ers' claims, it did something toward it, and has since 
afforded partial relief ; but whether it has not been 



3o8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the occasion of more withholding on the part of the 
people is a question. 

This fund is held by an incorported Board of 
Trustees located in Philadelphia (all laymen), and 
amounted in 1872, to ^40,117.75, well invested. 
The interest is distributed annually among the con- 
ferences, each receiving the same amount. (See 
Journal for 1872, pp. 707-709.) 

While we are obliged to admire the management 
of the preachers in those early times, it does seem as 
though they were too timid in asking for the bare ne- 
cessities of life. Allowing themselves to receive only 
the merest trifle, prohibiting funeral and marriage 
fees, or even personal presents, how could they ex- 
pect preachers without property and with families 
to give all their time to the ministry? Locations were 
the necessary result of thus shutting off providential 
supplies, and the increase of members was propor- 
tionally greater than the increase of preachers. But 
fortunately for the cause the preachers did not quit 
preaching when they left the itinerancy. 

INCIDENTS OF THE WORK. 

Nineteen conferences were held in 1793, fourteen 
the following year, and seven the next, when they 
varied from seven to nine per year. The boundaries 
of them were not then specifically defined, and 
preachers belonged to districts, rather than confer- 
ences, until 1802, when the minutes indicated their 
conference also. In 1793, all of New York, New 
England, and Canada, belonged to the New York 
Conference. That year New England was divided 
into two districts, and placed in charge of Ezekiel 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 309 



Cooper and George Roberts, while Lee, who opened 
up the territory, as we have shown, was stationed in 
the province of Maine and Lynn, a pretty broad field 
for one station and one man. Roberts was soon 
prosecuted and fined for performing the marriage 
ceremony; but this only hastened the overthrow of 
denominationaal tyranny. This year, too, the New 
London Circuit was formed, with a class of fifty mem- 
bers. Also the Warren Circuit, including half a 
dozen towns, which gave birth the following year to 
the first Methodist Church in Rhode Island, located 
at Warren. That State was settled by Roger Will- 
iams, an exile from Massachusetts, settled for con- 
science' sake, and it was open to all classes. And 
though the Baptists were in the majority, and were 
much given to proselyting, Methodists could cope 
with them as they have not always been able to do ; 
for their Disicipline then contained the following 
wise provision: 

' ' Question 46. What shall be done with those who 
were baptized in their infancy, but have now scruples 
concerning the validity of infant baptism ? 

''Anszuer. Remove their scruples by argument if 
you can; if not, the office may be performed by im- 
mersion or sprinkling, as the person desires." (His. 
of Dis. of 1843, p. 45.) 

Methodism was introduced singularly enough to 
Providencetown, Cape Cod, in 1795, by one of the 
preachers who was driven into the harbor by con- 
trary winds. But wicked men did not want it, and 
seized the timber gathered for the first church, and 
nearly destroyed it ; but this probably turned to the 
furtherance of the cause. All these places now 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



have churches, which hardly indicate so small a 
beginning. 

REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 

But it was not in ordinary men to stem the tide 
of sin and ignorance that generally prevailed through 
the country. God, therefore, raised up peculiar 
characters, and endowed them to meet the emergency. 
Calvin Wooster was one of them, whose fervency 
of spirit led him to volunteer as a missionary to 
Upper Canada. After lodging tiuenty-tivo nights in 
the wilderness, "he arrived with his companion, Sam- 
uel Coate, on the Bay of Quinte, just in time to 
attend a quarterly-meeting. After preaching, he re- 
mained in the meeting to pray for inquirers, while 
the presiding elder, Darius Dunham, retired to hold 
a conference with the official brethren. While thus 
engaged, the power of God fell on the people, and 
filled many with joy unspeakable, who praised the 
Lord aloud. Others fell prostrate on the floor. The 
elder coming in, and beliolding this tumultuous state 
of things, kneeled down and began to pray to God 
to ''stop the wild-fire," as he called it. In the mean 
time, brother AVooster whispered out in prayer, 
**Lord, bless brother Dunham! Lord, bless brother 
Dunham!" After some minutes he prevailed, and 
brother Dunham fell on the floor, and was filled with 
the Spirit. This fire he carried all around his district, 
to the joy of many souls. 

Mr. Wooster was eminently a man of pra}^er, and 
was often heard in the night pleading for the salva- 
tion of sinners. Such, indeed, was his fer\'ency, that 
the wicked could not stand before him. They would 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 311 



either flee or cry for mercy. Other preachers were 
much Hke him in this particular. While one was 
preaching- in that neighborhood, a trifling man com- 
menced to swear, and otherwise disturb the meeting. 
The preacher paid no attention to him for a while; 
but feeling strong in God, he at length suddenly 
stopped, and, fixing his piercing eye on the offender, 
stamping his foot, and pointing his finger at him with 
great energy, he cried out, ''My God! smite hivt!" 
The man instantly fell to the floor, as if shot, when 
such power overwhelmed the congregation that sin- 
ners roared for mercy on every side. (Bangs's His., 
Vol. II, pp. 72-74.) 

In 1798, Wooster finished his course, saying, 
''The nearer I draw to eternity, the brighter heaven 
shines upon me." It is said that when so weak that 
he could only whisper, his whispered words an- 
nounced to the congregation by another would over- 
whelm sinners so that they w^ould sometimes fall to 
the floor. His history, written by himself, and found 
among his papers, is as follows : 

" Hezekiah Calvin Wooster was born May 20, 
1771 ; convicted of sin October 9, 1791; born again 
December i, 1791 ; sanctified February 6, 1792." 

The year 1793 brought Henry Boehm to the 
saving knowledge of the truth, who afterward entered 
the ministry, and but recently celebrated the cen- 
tennial anniversary of his life. Acting as circuit 
preacher, presiding elder, and traveling companion to 
Bishop Asbury for several years, he has personally 
seen more of American Methodism than any living 
man. Still, he retains the old fire which made him 
happy in the days of his strength, when he endured 



312 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



hardness as a good soldier of the cross, traveHng on 
horseback from State to State, with few of the com- 
forts of hfe to cheer him. While he has lacked the 
eccentricity, oratory, or brilliancy which throng the 
steps of some men, he has maintained a joyous, self- 
sacrificing piety, with a dignified, Scriptural, power- 
ful ministry, that has won him friends and admirers 
every-where, and rendered him mighty to the pulling 
down of strongholds. He is the honored representa- 
tive of a large class of preachers, who will rank 
higher in heaven than some who have been more 
distinguished on earth. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 796. 

It convened at Baltimore, and was composed of 
one hundred and twenty members. To this time the 
bishops had held as many annual conferences as they 
deemed necessary. Here they were reduced to six, 
and their names and bounds determined. This con- 
ference also adopted and printed a deed to secure 
Church property to its intended use, which has con- 
tributed very much to the welfare of Methodism, 
exploding the slander that the bishops owned the 
churches, and preventing malcontents from perverting 
them to improper uses. Besides, it forbade the sale 
and use of intoxicating liquors by members of tlie 
Church, though this was more than thirty years be- 
fore the commencement of the public reformation on 
this question, which is still in progress. 

FIRST CONFERENCES IN NEW ENGLAND. 

The first conference in New England was held in 
Wilbraham, Massachusetts, in 1797; but owing to 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 313 

the illness of Bishop Asbury, Jesse Lee presided, at 
his request, and by vote of the conference. But the 
whole membership in New England, at that time, 
was less than three thousand, and of Massachusetts 
only about nine hundred. Two years after, another 
conference convened at Readfield, Maine, when Ver- 
gennes, in Vermont, and Providence, in Rhode 
Island, were added to the list of circuits, showing 
that the cause was advancing, though slowly. The 
amount of labor and sacrifice involved in these be- 
ginnings is incredible. 

ORIGIN OF CAMP-MEETINGS. 

The year 1799 was distinguished for the origina- 
tion of **camp meetings." This wonderful means 
of grace was providential in its conception. Two 
brothers by the name of M' Gee, one a Presbyterian 
minister, and the other a Methodist, went to attend 
a sacramental occasion with Rev. Mr. M' Gready, a 
Presbyterian minister in West Tennessee. The Meth- 
odist preached first, and was followed by the Presby- 
terian and the Rev. Mr. Hoge, whose preaching 
produced a powerful effect. One woman became so 
deeply impressed she shouted aloud for joy, and 
there were other demonstrations of an extraordinaiy 
character. Messrs. M'Gready, Hoge, and Rankins, 
all Presbyterian ministers, left the house; but the 
M'Gees remained to see the salvation of God. Great 
was the power that rested upon them. John was 
expected to preach, but he told the people that his 
feelings were such he could not, and sat down amid 
sobs and cries from every quarter. This brought 
the people out to see what these things might mean. 

27 



314 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Many came a great distance with horses and wagons 
and provisions; and so numerous was the crowd the 
church would not contain them. This drove them 
into the forest; and the distance of many from home, 
and the impossibility of obtaining accommodations 
among the people, made it necessary for them to 
camp out. 

This was something new, and attracted great 
attention. And it was no less effective. The differ- 
ent denominations, seeing that God was in the meas- 
ure, gave it their countenance ; but one after another 
withdrew, until it was left almost exclusively to the 
Methodists. Since that time they have employed it 
to good purpose, notwithstanding its old friends have 
said many hard things against it. In the early days 
of Methodism, when meeting-houses were few and 
preachers scarce, camp-meetings were peculiarly 
useful. Hundreds were converted through their in- 
strumentality. In the course of the eight years fol- 
lowing their introduction, the net increase to the 
Church Avas eighty -tzvo thousand six Jiundred and 
sixty-four members, and a corresponding increase of 
preachers. 

The manner in which the Spirit wrought upon the 
people at these meetings did more to convince them 
that Methodism was of God than all other means. 
Infidels and worldly professors would go out to see 
for themselves, proudly feeling that they could not 
be moved, and yet in half an hour would be over- 
whelmed with conviction. A gentleman and lady 
visiting one, full of self-conceit, jocosely agreed if 
one of them should fall, the other should stand by 
and not leave. They had not been there long before 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 



the lady fell, and the funny gentleman, false to his 
pledge, left in hot haste, but had not proceeded far 
before he went down also, and was soon surrounded by 
the praying multitude. With some such earnest con- 
victions terminating in the joys of salvation, and a 
new heart, it was not easy to doubt the divine reality 
of the work. Nor was it easy for observers to doubt 
who felt nothing of the kind, when they saw their 
godless neighbors transformed in this manner. Camp- 
meetings did more in this way in support of real 
orthodoxy than all the reasonings of the ages. 

They were particularly adapted to the western 
wilderness. Following the early emigrants, without 
churches, they furnished great occasions, which were 
not then very frequent, and called together all sorts 
of people for hundreds of miles around. Many get- 
ting converted would return home with new hearts 
and commence meetings, inviting the preachers to 
come and see them. In this way the foundation 
of many societies was laid that never would have 
been heard of but for camp-meetings. These meet- 
ings were just the thing for the times and the country. 

And they are hardly less popular or valuable now 
that we have so many churches. Bringing together 
the more devout of our preachers and people, they 
affect many who could not be reached at home. 
Besides, they help to promote spiritual life in the 
Churches. God grant that they may never be per- 
verted and employed for secular purposes! 

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 180O. 

Bishop Asbury's advancing age and abounding 
labors, involving some six thousand miles of travel a 



3i6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



year, generally on horse-back in rain and snow, 
swimming rivers and creeks, sleeping in huts and 
barns and in the forest, together with "the care of 
all the Churches," Dr. Coke being absent from 
the country most of the time, was telling terribly on 
his health. Indeed, he Avould have died long before, 
but for his indomitable will and zeal for God. In 
view of his extreme feebleness, he determined to 
resign his office, drop back into the ranks at this 
conference, and let younger and stronger men take 
his place. But the conference loved the bishop for his 
noble, self-sacrificing heroism, and avowing it, en- 
treated him to hold fast, and do what his health would 
permit. Seeing the cordiality with which this was 
done, the bishop waived his purpose and continued. 

Dr. Coke was also in some uncertainty as to his 
course. He was fully committed to the conference 
by previous engagements. But the British Confer- 
ence had earnestly desired his release and return to 
England. He had been vibrating between the two 
countries ever since he came out in 1784. After 
much deliberation, the conference consented to his 
return, on the condition that he should come back 
as soon as practicable, certainly by the next General 
Conference. This left the Church with only one 
available bishop, and he broken down with years and 
labors. One more certainly must be elected. 

This brought up another question; namely, 
should he be equal in authority, or only an assist- 
ant and subordinate. After much conversation, it 
was determined, very fortunately for IMethodism, that 
he should be in every way equal in power with his 
senior in office. This settled . the policy of the 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 317 



Church on this important point, which has been 
maintained to the present day, thus blocking further 
imitation of the Enghsh Church in this direction, and 
keeping out of our vocabulary the high-sounding 
titles of archbishops, prelates, etc. 

RICHARD WHATCOAT ELECTED BISHOP. 

This done, the conference proceeded to ballot for 
a bishop, giving a tie vote for Richard Whatcoat, 
whom Mr. Wesley had appointed to the office several 
years before, and Jesse Lee, the pioneer of New 
England. On the second ballot Whatcoat was 
elected by fifty-nine votes against fiftyfive cast for 
Lee, and was duly consecrated on the i8th of May 
by Bishops Coke and Asbury, assisted by several 
elders. Both were true men and every way worthy 
of the office. Whatcoat was an Englishman, assisted 
in the organization of the Church, and was, at his 
consecration, sixty-four years of age. All would 
probably have voted for him, but for the fact that 
Lee was his equal in all respects, — an American by 
birth and in his sympathies, and a younger man. 

OTHER MEASURES ADOPTED. 

This Conference advanced the preachers allowance 
from sixty-four to eighty dollars per year; recom- 
mended the supply of parsonages and heavy furni- 
ture; rescinded the rule requiring the preachers to 
give an account of their presents; required preachers 
to travel four years in order to be members of the 
General Conference; authorized the ordination of 
African preachers to deacons orders; fixed the 
boundaries of seven annual conferences, including the 



3i8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



New England, which it created out of territory before 
covered by the New York Conference. 

REMARKABLE SUCCESS REALIZED. 

At the close of the General Conference every 
man went to his work in improved confidence, and 
God poured out his spirit in a wonderful manner. 
New and mighty men v/ere brought into the field; 
camp-meetings were pressed, especially in the West, 
with William M'Kendree, like a flame of fire, leading 
the hosts. Strange and convincing results, similar to 
those which occurred in the great revival under Pres- 
ident Edwards, sixty years before, appeared on every 
side, and many were converted. The net increase in 
the three years following was 761 traveling preachers, 
and 39,176 members, which was more than 136 
members to each of the 287 ministers in the field in 
1800, and equal to an increase, with our present num- 
ber of ministers, to nearly one million and a half of 
members in the same length of time. 

New Hampshire and Vermont shared largely in 
the work, as did Canada. O'Kelley's pestiferous 
influence had begun to wane in the South, and order 
and revivals succeeded as in other days. 

THE BEGINNING OF PRO-SLAVERY MOBS. 

This year, however, commenced a series of 
troubles with slavery, from which the Church and the 
country have not yet fully recovered, in the shape 
of a pro-slavery mob. John Harper, who was 
stationed at Charleston, South Carolina, received 
some pamphlets from the North, proposing to mem- 
oralize the legislature against slavery, and burned 



REMARKABLE MEN AND OCCASIONS. 3I9 

them. But the people having heard about them, a 
mob gathered; and, faiHng to find him, seized his 
colleague, George Dougherty, took him to a street- 
pump, and would probably have drowned him, but 
for the intervention of a pious woman by the name 
of Kingsley, who placed herself between the minister 
and mob, and stuffed her shawl into the spout and 
stopped the water. Seeing her intrepidity, a gentle- 
man stepped forward, sword in hand, and led him 
away, no one daring to interfere. He, however, died 
from the wetting and exposure; and his persecutors 
seemed to fall under the curse of God; but their 
miserable deaths did not prevent the repetition of 
these transactions afterward in the same city. 

PATIENCE AND FORBEARANCE TRIUMPHANT. 

There was, also, a little trouble in Philadelphia; 
leading to the withdrawal of several members, who 
started what was called the ''Academy Station.'' It 
would hardly be worth naming, but for the kind spirit 
with which they were treated by the authorities and 
the result. Having had their way for a few years, 
and been tenderly indulged, they dropped into 
line, and the matter ended without a rupture. A 
noble example of Christian forbearance worthy of 
imitation. 

The reader who remembers our notice of Lee's 
efforts to organize a society in Boston will be interested 
to know that, after all his failures, the New England 
Conference, consisting of thirty-five preachers, met 
there in 1803, representing 2,941 members; and, what 
was of no little importance, were affiliated with 
a growing American Church of 104,070 members, 



320 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



whose officers were traversing the continent. It is a 
great thing for a Church, as well as an individual, to 
have strong and influential relations. A little society 
in Boston, therefore, meant something, like a little 
cutter flying the American flag in foreign waters. It 
would be easy, perhaps, to destroy either, but that 
would only insure the coming of something larger 
and more commanding. Methodism in Boston was 
too poor to build a church; but what was that, so 
long as it had so many generous friends in New York, 
Philadelphia, and Baltimore? The unity of Meth- 
odism is one of its chief elements of strength. 
Separatists have not always thought of this in leav- 
ing the old Church, and setting up for themselves. 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1 804-181 6. 



321 



CHAPTER V. 



OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1804 FANATICISM AMONG 

PRESBYTERIANS DEATH OF BISHOP WHATCOAT GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE OF 1808 DELEGATED GENERAL CON- 
FERENCE PROVIDED FOR ITS FIRST SESSION DEATH OF 

BISHOP ASBURY METHODISM ASSAILED GENERAL CON- 
FERENCE OF 1 81 6 NEW BISHOPS. 



HE General Conference for 1804 convened in 



J- Baltimore, and consisted of one hundred and 
seven members, Bishops Coke, Asbury, and What- 
coat, presiding-. So careful were the preachers of 
the principles and economy of the Church that they 
agreed, at the outset, that no old rule should be 
altered without the concurrence of two-thirds of the 
members, though they failed to require the same 
majority for the enactment of a new rule. It was 
here agreed, too, that the bishops should fix the 
times of holding the annual conferences, and or- 
dered that they should not allow a preacher to remain 
more than two years successively in any circuit or 
station. Also, that the Book Concern should be 
transferred from Philadelphia to New York ; and that 
the articles of religion should be altered by the ex- 
clusion of the words ''Act of Confederation," and the 
insertion of the Avords "Constitution of the United 
States," which had become the supreme law of the 
country. Here, too, the boundaries of the confer- 
ences were first inserted in the Discipline, though not 




322 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



with very great precision. With some few other 
enactments, the conference adjourned May 23d, in 
great peace and with renewed ardor. 

FANATICISM AMONG PRESBYTERIANS. 

We have before hinted at the part certain Presby- 
terians took in the first camp-meetings. It was not 
reasonable to beheve that the measure would be 
approved by the ruling authorities of that Church, 
and it was not. After considerable wrangling the 
offenders separated from their old associates, and or- 
ganized what they called the ' ' Springfield Presbytery, " 
and undertook to imitate the Methodists, but did 
not surround themselves with those guards which are 
necessary to the preservation of orthodoxy, harmony, 
and order. Some of their new preachers, having 
little knowledge or experience, were puffed up by 
their sudden elevation to orders, and, being without 
proper leaders, soon threw off all restraint and plunged 
into various heresies and practical irregularities, which 
disgraced themselves and their cause. After jump- 
ing, dancing, jerking, barking, and rolling on the 
ground, under pretense of religious devotion, they 
scattered off among the Shakers and into the world, 
and the "Springfield Presbytery" was dissolved. 
This agitation led to other differences among the 
Presbyterians, some eschewing Calvinism, as well as 
the extravagances before named, but holding to re- 
vivals, as the more rigid brethren did not. At length, 
they, too, separated from their old associates, and 
organized a Church of their own in 18 10, called 
"The Cumberland Presbytery," which still survives, 
with more or less success. 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1 804-181 6. 323 



The Methodists, during these outbursts of fanati- 
cism, were in great danger, but escaped serious dis- 
aster by reason of their thorough organism and wise 
leaders. Camp-meetings lost caste in Kentucky, but 
they were pushed with great vigor in other parts, 
and accomplished much good. 

DEATH OF BISHOP WHATCOAT. 

Nothing more occurred of noticeable importance 
during the time under consideration, beyond the or- 
dinary routine of hard work and continued success, 
except the death of Bishop Whatcoat, which occurred 
in Delaware, July 5, 1806, in the triumphs of the 
faith he had preached to others. He was born in 
England in the year 1736. At the age of twenty- 
two he was born of the Spirit. Eleven years after, 
he entered the itinerant work as a preacher under 
Mr. Wesley, who ordained him elder in 1784, and 
sent him to America. He was an excellent man, 
full of faith and the Holy Ghost; did his work well 
in every position he occupied, was generally beloved, 
and departed this life joyfully in the seventy-first 
year of his age. 

Bishop Asbury said of him, in preaching his 
funeral sermon, ''I have known Richard Whatcoat 
from the time I was fourteen years of age most inti- 
mately, and have tried him most accurately in respect 
to the soundness of his faith. ... I have also 
known his manner of life at all times and places be- 
fore the people ; his long suffering, for he was a man 
of great affliction, having been exercised with severe 
diseases and great labors," yet *'he always exemplified 
the tempers and conduct of a most devoted servant 



324 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



of God and Christian minister." Sanctification was 
his favorite theme, and few men exempHfied it more 
beautifully. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1808. 

The meeting of this body was anticipated with 
considerable solicitude on several accounts. Dr. 
Coke was in Europe by permission, Bishop Whatcoat 
was dead, and Bishop Asbury was getting old and 
infirm, so that arrangements must be made for new 
leaders. Besides, it had come to be known that Dr. 
Coke wrote a letter to Bishop White in 1791, indi- 
cating a desire to have the Methodist Episcopal 
Church wedded in some prudent way to the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church, which was not very pleasing 
to the delegates or their constituents. The matter 
was, however, carefully considered by the conference, 
and the name of Dr. Coke was allowed to be pub- 
lished in the minutes, as usual, and he permitted to 
remain in Europe until the conference should call 
him back. This satisfied all parties tolerably well. 

PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE. 

Looking at the matter now, we think it fortunate 
for the Church that this course was taken, all things 
considered. Dr. Coke had justly occupied a very 
high position in this country, and was growing in 
influence all the time he held the office of superin- 
tendent, and remained in America, Finding that the 
work was too much for one man, and apprehending 
differences in judgment with associates who might be 
elected to co-operate with him, he proposed to have 
the continent equally di\ided between him and INIr. 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1804-1816. 325 



Asbury as superintending bishops. Under the cir- 
cumstances of his absence and his letter to Bishop 
White, this proposition received httle favor. Had 
he not written the letter, and had he remained in 
the country, growing in influence as he had done, it 
is not impossible that it would have carried. How 
it would have worked, we can not tell ; but in view 
of the success which has crowned the old policy of 
equal general superintendency, it seems as if it must 
have blocked the wheels of progress, and led to less 
gratifying results than now appear. At all events, 
apparent mistakes do often turn for the furtherance 
of the Gospel. 

A DELEGATED GENERAL CONFERENCE PROVIDED FOR. . 

We have already referred to the difficulty of 
making authoritative rules for the Church, scattered 
as the preachers were from Maine to Georgia. This 
conference received a memorial from the New York 
Conference, indorsed by several others, asking that 
provision should be made for a delegated General 
Conference. It being referred to a committee of two 
from each of the seven conferences then present, the 
committee reported substantially the plan now in use, 
providing that the said delegated conference should 
not do certain things, stated in what are known 
among us as "The Restrictive Rules." (See Dis., 
93-99-) 

The report was at first rejected by a majority of 
seven, much to the regret of the older preachers, 
especially Mr. Asbury. TJiey saw the necessity of 
protecting the doctrines, general rules, and govern- 
mjnt of the Church against the hurried vote of a 



326 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



bare majority. After considerable consultation, the 
matter was reconsidered, and the report adopted with 
great unanimity. 

Before this, each General Conference was at lib- 
erty to make whatever alterations it might see fit, or 
to introduce any new doctrine. Knowing the rage 
of men for novelty and the recklessness of excitement, 
Mr. Asbury desired to see the foundations of Method- 
ism well secured before he should be taken away. 

It is impossible to appreciate all the good results 
that have flowed to the Church and the world from 
this wise arrangement. The General Conference has 
since been to the Church what Congress and the 
Supreme Court are to the State. If it shall continue 
to exercise its authority with discretion, and with 
proper zeal for God and the best good of men, its 
Gospel agencies will yet encompass the earth. 

THE QUESTION OF MORE BISHOPS, ETC. 

Mr. Asbury being left alone in the superintend- 
ency, the question of more bishops was one of spe- 
cial interest, and, as usual, elicited many opinions. 
Able men were in favor of electing seven — one for 
each conference — and thus largely superseding the 
necessity of presiding elders. A motion for two was 
rejected, and one was preferred, almost unanimously; 
whereupon, William M'Kendree was elected, and 
duly consecrated. He was born in Virginia, July 6, 
1757, educated in the English Church, converted in 
1787, and received into the conference on trial the 
next year. But he became so perplexed with the 
O' Kelly strife that he desisted from traveling until 
1793, when he was stationed at Norfolk, and after- 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1 804-181 6. 



ward made presiding elder. He was evidently a 
man of great power, and longed to save sinners. 
This was the secret of his remarkable success — and 
a very desirable qualification for a bishop. 

This conference provided also for the ordination 
of local preachers, and made some other prudential 
arrangements, all of which seemed to give general 
satisfaction. 

Bishop M'Kendree entered upon his new duties 
with his old zeal, making the entire circuit of the 
continent from year to year. He believed, with Mr. 
Asbury, that he ought to "visit every part of the 
work, because the preachers and people ought to 
know their bishop, and that he ought to know them, 
so as to sympathize with them in their wants and 
sufferings, to understand their true state, as well as 
to set an example to all which they may safely and 
profitably imitate;" and, to accomplish this, he had 
to adopt his senior's economy of time, and make the 
most of "a short day by only stopping to feed the 
horses, and let the riders, meanwhile, take a bite of 
what they may have been provident enough to put 
into their pockets." 

He traveled much, the first year, with Mr. As- 
bury, from whose journal we catch a glimpse of the 
honors and work of the office, written while they 
were resting a little in Tennessee. It reads thus: 
"My flesh sinks under labor. We are riding in a 
poor thirty-dollar chaise, in partnership, two bishops 
of us, but it must be confessed that it tallies well 
with the weight of our purses. What bishops! 
Well, but we have great news, and we have great 
times, and each Western, Southern, and the Virginia 



328 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Conference will have one thousand souls truly con- 
verted to God. Is not this an equivalent for a 
light purse, and are we not well paid for starving 
and toil? Yes, glory to God!" This can be better 
appreciated if we remember that their salaries were 
eighty dollars a year each, if they could raise it, 
besides their traveling expenses. 

A SPECIMEN OF CONVERSION. 

The Word in those days was with power. A 
Mr. Kenton, who was one of the first to venture 
into the wilderness of Kentucky and Ohio, and had 
suffered much in his conflicts with Indians, having 
been taken prisoner once or twice, and run great 
hazards in hunting wild beasts that roamed the for- 
ests, at last encountered a camp-meeting, and was 
arrested and tamed by the Gospel. In opening his 
mind to Rev. Mr. Sale, he enjoined the utmost 
secrecy, and then gave an outline of his strange life. 
In the course of the night, the heavenly light broke 
in upon his soul, so that the next morning he went 
forth proclaiming wdiat God had done for his soul. 
His conversion made a powerful impression on oth- 
ers, who concluded that a religion which could 
transform the hero of so many battles must come 
from God. 

THE WORK IN THE EAST. 

While these successes were being achieved in ~ 
the South and West, Rev. Messrs. Elijah Hedding, 
Joshua Soule, Thomas Branch, John Brodhead, Eli- 
jah R. Sabin, Oliver Beale, and George Pickering, 
all, but the last-named, presiding ciders, were push- 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1804-1816. 329 

ing the work in the New England Conference with 
considerable effect. Many were converted and joined 
the Church, notwithstanding the prevailing prejudices 
against our doctrines and methods. 

Camp-meetings were held all over the country, 
and were attended with great power. Such was the 
progress of the work that in 18 10 the bishops organ- 
ized the Genesee Conference, for the benefit of West- 
ern New York and the Canadas. The same year, 
the Western Conference was held at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
then a little village of eleven years' growth, and was 
comforted to find an increase of about four thousand 
members. 

THE FIRST DELEGATED CONFERENCE. 

This conference opened in the city of New York, 
May I, 18 1 2, and was composed of the following 
delegates : 

Nciv York Conference. — Freeborn Garrettson, Dan- 
iel Ostrander, Aaron Hunt, William Phoebus, WilHam 
Anson, Nathan Bangs, Laban Clark, Truman Bishop, 
Eben Smith, Henry Stead, Billy Hibbard, Seth Crow- 
ell, and Samuel Merwin. 

Neiv England Conference. — George Pickering, Oli- 
ver Beale, Elijah Hedding, Joshua Soule, William 
Stevens, Asa Kent, Solomon Sias, Joel Winch, and 
Daniel Webb. 

Genesee Conference. — William B. Lacy, Anning 
Owen, Timothy Lee, . Jonas Kelsey, Elijah Batche- 
lor, and William Snow. 

Western Conference. — Learner Blackman, Benja- 
min Lakin, James Quinn, Frederick Stier, John Sale, 
William Pattison, Isaac Quinn, William Houston, 

28 



330 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



John Collins, Samuel Parker, James Axley, David 
Young, and Thomas Stillwell. 

SoutJi Cajvlma Conference. — Lewis Myers, Lovick 
Pierce, Joseph Tarpley, Daniel Asbury, William M. 
Kennedy, Samuel Dunwody, James E. Glenn, Hill- 
iard Judge, and Joseph Travis. 

Virginia Conference. — Jesse Lee, Philip Bruce, 
John Buxton, Thomas L. Douglas, John Ballew, 
James M. Boyd, Richard Lattimore, Charles Calla- 
way, Cannellum H. Hines, William Jean, and John 
Early. 

Baltimore Coifereiice. — Nelson Reed, Joseph Toy, 
Joshua Wells, Nicholas Snethen, Enoch George, Asa 
Shinn, Hamilton Jefferson, Jacob Gruber, Robert R. 
Roberts, William Ryland, Christopher Frye, James 
Smith, Robert Burch, Henry Smith, and Andrew 
Hemphill. 

Philadelphia Conference. — Ezekiel Cooper, John 
M'Claskey, Thomas F. Sargent, Stephen G. Roszel, 
Thomas Ware, Richard Sneath, Thomas Boring, Da- 
vid Bartine, John Walker, George Woolley, James 
Bateman, Thomas Burch, Michael Coate, and Asa 
Smith. (Bangs's History, Vol. II, pp. 305-307.) 

Bishops Asbury and M'Kendree presided. "Jef- 
ferson's Manual" of parliamentary rules was tempo- 
rarily adopted for the guidance of the business. 
Bishop Asbury indicated a disposition to visit his 
native land, having been absent from it forty-one 
years; but the committee, after due deliberation, re- 
ported: "It is our sincere desire and request that 
Bishop Asbury would relinquish his thought of visit- 
ing Europe, and confine his labors to the American 
connection so long as God may preserve his life." 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1 804-181 6. 



In this the conference heartily concurred, and the 
bishop continued in the work. 

But the bishops were carefully watched, lest they 
should exceed their Disciplinary prerogatives. Some 
claimed that they had no authority for organizing the 
Genesee Conference as they had done ; but the confer- 
ence approved the measure, and thus they escaped 
rebuke. They were, however, placed under special 
restrictions with regard to similar operations in the 
future. 

OF ORDAINING LOCAL PREACHERS. 

The proposition to make local deacons eligible to 
elders' orders elicited a very long and able discussion; 
but it was finally indorsed, on the ground of expedi- 
ency, where their services as elders might be needed, 
and could therefore be employed to good purpose. 

MORE ACTIVITY IN THE BOOK CONCERN. 

As before stated, The Methodist Magazine was 
started in 1789, but it was suspended the year follow- 
ing. Many of the leading members of this confer- 
ence urged the necessity of a periodical of some sort 
with much emphasis. Some were strongly opposed 
to it; but the conference voted, by a bare majority, 
directing the agents to resume the publication of the 
magazine, commencing the third volume at furthest 
by January next, and, to insure the work, appointed 
Thomas Ware assistant agent to Daniel Hitt. This 
is the first we hear of tzvo agents ; but the magazine 
was not resumed as ordered, nor until 18 18, which ex- 
plains the great scarcity of material for the history of 
the Church during the long interval of its suspension. 



332 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



''For a number of years," says Dr. Bangs, '*it 
appeared that education of all sorts, as well as writ- 
ing for the public eye, was laid aside as useless, and 
we seem to have come to the strange conclusion that 
we had naught else to do but simply to preach the 
Gospel. . . . It is tnie that a few sighed over 
this state of things. ... It was this feeling 
which prompted them to bring the subject before the 
General Conference of 1812. 

''From these humiliating facts it became pro- 
verbial that the Methodists were enemies to learn- 
ing. . . . The fact is, the destruction of Cokes- 
bury College, and the failure to establish district 
schools and academies, threw a damper upon the 
spirits of those who had abetted learning, and fur- 
nished those who were indifferent to its interests 
with arguments against it." 

Though it was tzventy-tJiree years since the book 
business was commenced, it was by no means large. 
Mr. Crowther, in his "Portraiture of Methodism," 
published in 18 13, gives the list of all books on sale, 
together with those published by the concern, num- 
bering in all only tzventy-nine volumes, a complete set 
of which (excepting ' ' Coke's Commentary, " which was 
imported) could be bought for ^31.64. And there 
were among them but three American publications. 
If this statement is correct, the Church certainly was 
not very deeply affected at that time, with the im- 
portance of the press to her noble enterprise. 

OTHER MATTERS ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE. 

It was here that the Episcopal practice of address- 
ing the General Conference was introduced. Bishop 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1 804-181 6. 333 



M'Kendree read an address of his own, and Bishop 
Asbury then extemporized one. Both were heard 
with respect and properly referred to a committee. 

This conference also restricted the power of the 
preachers a little with regard to the appointment of 
stewards, and allowed them only to nominate, where 
they had before appointed them. It authorized an- 
nual conferences, too, to raise funds to support their 
superannuated preachers, widows, and orphans. 

INTERRUPTION BY THE WAR OF l8l2. 

We have now reached another important period 
in the history of the country and the Church. June 
18, 181 2, the United States declared war against 
great Great Britain, which created a profound sensa- 
tion all over the continent. The preachers appointed 
to Canada were unable to go to their work, and the 
Canada preachers were prevented from attending 
their conference, and all friendly intercourse between 
the two countries was suspended. The work, how- 
ever, advanced in the States. The reports for 18 13 
showed a handsome increase; but the effects of the 
war, which still raged, appeared the next year, indi- 
cating some loss. The burning of Washington and 
the attack upon Baltimore absorbed all hearts, and 
the war-whoop largely took the place of religious en- 
terprise. 

OF THE REFORMED METHODISTS. 

Among the locations of 18 13 we find the name 
Pliny Brett, who failed to be admitted to the New 
England Conference in full connection as he an- 
ticipated. This so offended him that he soon after 



334 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



v/ithdrew from the Church, and placed himself at the 
head of a party which pretended to peculiar attain- 
ments in holiness, and went about to infect others 
with his own prejudices, and combine them in a new 
organization. The project succeeded so far as to alien- 
ate and draw off several local preachers and a con- 
siderable number of members, who assumed the name 
of "Reformed Methodists," indicating the convic- 
tion entertained by them that the Church had back- 
slidden from original Methodism and from God. 
With this specious title they went forth berating 
their old friends, and calling upon all who loved 
the poAver of religion to rally to the new standard. 
Ranters and fanatics who wanted more liberty 
than propriety would justify, or the leaders could 
tolerate, heeded the call and withdrew. Several 
societies on Cape Cod and in Vermont were greatly 
agitated, and several smaller ones were destroyed, by 
which means the Church lost some worthy members, 
and contracted a prejudice against holiness, which 
was the battle-cry of the seceding party. They were 
generally sincere, Ave think, but ignorant, conceited, 
uncharitable, and censorious, in the erroneous belief 
that they were divinely inspired, and, therefore, ought 
to follow their impressions at whatever cost. They 
lacked the charity that "suffereth long and is kind, 
that vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, dotlr not 
behave itself unseemly, is not easily provoked, and 
thinketh no evil." 

Having spent their first peculiar love in scattering 
the old Church, an object in which they were particu- 
larly united, they fell upon each other. Some were 
disgusted and returned to their old friends, while 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1 804-181 6. 335 



Others held together in some sort (never numbering 
over two thousand), until 1843, when they affiliated 
with the Wesleyans organized under the leadership of 
Rev. Orange Scott, whose history will be noticed in 
its chronological order. 

Holiness has had a great deal to endure from its 
professed friends. If it were not of God it would 
have been utterly discarded long ago. But it is evi- 
dently gaining ground, though still in danger of suffer- 
ing from fanaticism. It probably never had so many 
consistent admirers as at present, and the number 
seems to be increasing. 

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This was organized at Philadelphia in the year 
1 8 16, under the leadership of Richard Allen, a local 
elder, the first colored preacher ordained in the coun- 
try. He was a man of excellent character, of wealth 
and influence, but separated from the Church in con- 
sequence of local difficulties between the two races. 

A considerable number of others followed his 
example, and united to form an independent Church 
under the above title. They made no change in 
doctrine, nor even in discipline, further than to 
accommodate their new circumstances. The object 
of the movement was to govern themselves, and not 
be subject to a government in which they had no 
part on account of their color. At their first confer- 
ence, Allen was elected bishop, and ordained by the 
imposition of hands, since wdiich, others have been 
inducted into the same office. They hold annual 
and general conferences, and maintain a system of 
itinerancy with considerable success. They claim 



33<5 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



600 traveling preachers, 1,300 local preachers, and 
200,000 members. 

These transactions created some excitement among 
the colored people in the City of New York, and 
they declared for independence. But not having all 
confidence in Allen, or his new scheme, they struck 
out a little different plan, and organized another 
"African Methodist Episcopal Zion's Church," to be 
governed by elders of their own choosing, one of 
whom was to be annually elected to superintend, but 
not to be set apart by the usual forms of ordination. 
They now claim to number about 694 ministers and 
164,000 Church members in the United States and 
Canada. 

In this day of fraternity it is to be hoped that 
those two bodies may find it for their interest to 
come together. They have done good, and are 
growing, but, if they can agree, may do better com- 
bined into one strong Church. 

OF THE STILLWELLITES. 

The year following. New York experienced an- 
other slight explosion. In rebuilding John-street 
church the trustees and other members fell into some 
differences. A part, perhaps, wished to have the fin- 
ishing a little nicer than the others fancied, or could 
conscientiously approve. One thing led to another, 
till the contest became very sharp, and resulted in 
the secession of William M. Stillwell, a traveling 
preacher, three trustees, and about three hundred 
members of the Church. The disaffection was com- 
municated to several local preachers and others in 
the vicinity, and Stilkvdlitcs multiplied for a time 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1804-181 6. 



337 



with considerable rg4)idity. But a second sober 
thought turned the tables again, and most of the 
seceders returned from whence they went out, more 
than ever convinced that it is easier to destroy a 
good Church than to establish a better one. Those 
who remained soon laid aside all pretensions to itin- 
erancy, and settled down on the Congregational plan, 
with the father of the movement for their pastor, who 
died after several years, regretting his course. 

We mention this case to show how easy it is to 
make a division in the Church of God, and how little 
it avails, compared with the expectations of its pro- 
moters. It was, no doubt, believed in this case, that 
the secession would shake the Church to its founda- 
tions, and bring about a glorious state of things, in 
which the seceders would be eminently popular. But 
how disappointed ! It was only as a pebble falling into 
the ocean. You hear the sound thereof, and mark a 
circular ripple upon the wave, and pass along as 
though nothing had happened. The Methodist 
Church is not to be overturned so easily. But such 
beacons of warning are of little use, after all. Ad- 
venturers will not learn by the experience of others. 
They are wiser, or their idol scheme has some ad- 
vantage that insures its success. So on they go to 
the same oblivion that covers their predecessors, the 
wreck of whose darling visions should have deterred 
them from such presumption. Still, it is our duty to 
admonish them of their danger. 

THE DEATH OF DR. COKE. 

Bishop Whatcoat had gone to his reward. As- 
bury was fast finishing his course, when the news 

29 



338 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



arrived that Dr. Coke was found dead in his cabin, 
May 3, 1814, on his way to India with several mis- 
sionaries to lay the foundations of a Christian Church 
in that far off land. Though he had been released 
some six years from his obligations to the Ameri- 
can conference, he Avas still held in high esteem for 
the noble work he had done, and his death was a 
source of deep affliction. He had made arrange- 
ments for his burial at home, but it being impossible 
to preserve his remains, he was buried in the ocean, 
fitly says one writer, as he belonged to no country 
but to the whole world. He had crossed the Atlantic 
eighteen times in the interest of religion, repeatedly 
visited Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and the West 
Indies, at his own expense, and had now completed 
his long and useful life, probably by apoplexy, in the 
sixty-seventh year of his age. He was called of 
God to a great work, and he did it. He organized 
the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784 with 83 
preachers, and 14,988 members; and left it at his 
death, with 729 preachers, and 211,129 members. 
''Well done, good and faithful servant." 

ANOTHER PRINCE FALLEN. 

Bishop Asbury, full of faith and hope, vibrating 
between two worlds, desired to visit Mississippi, 
lying south of the ten conferences under his super- 
vision, but he was not able. December 2, 18 16, he 
wrote in his journal : ' ' My consolations are great. I 
live in God moment by moment." The following 
March he visited Richmond, Virginia, and preached 
his last sermon sitting, being unable to walk or even 
stand. March 31st, nearing his end, he was asked 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1 804-181 6. 339 



if he felt the Lord Jesus precious, when, with great 
effort, he raised both hands in token of victory, and 
passed away, in the seventy-first year of his age. 

When he came to New York, forty-five years 
before, the Methodist connection numbered about six 
hundred members. After batthng with the winds 
and storms for nearly half a century, he bade a 
peaceful adieu to the Church he had loved and cher- 
ished as a mother her children, embracing six hun- 
dred and ninety-five traveling preachers, and two 
Hundred and fourteen thousand, two hundred and 
thirty-five members. But these statistics convey 
only a faint idea of what was accomplished during 
the period named. To estimate this properly, we 
must consider how many were converted and taken 
to Abraham's bosom; how many joined other 
Churches; how many more were improved and made 
happier and better in various respects; and how 
much was accomplished in extending the itinerant 
plan through the States and territories. A founda- 
tion was laid by his labors upon which others have 
built so nobly since, and without which they must 
have achieved much less. 

Mr. Asbury lived a bachelor and devoted his 
whole life to God and the Church. When near his 
end, he made his will, and gave the Book Concern 
what was left of about two thousand dollars some 
childless friend had devised to him, saying, "Let it 
return and continue to aid the cause of piety." His 
remains were buried in Spottslyvania, but at the 
request of brethren in Baltimore, and by order of 
the General Conference, they were removed to that 
city, and deposited in a vault prepared for the 



340 



HISTOR Y OF METHODISM. 



purpose under the pulpit of the Eutaw-street Church, 
where a marble slab marks his resting place, and 
furnishes a brief outline of his history. It is cal- 
culated that during his forty-five years of minis- 
terial service in this country he traveled about 
6,000 miles a year, making a grand total of 270,000 
miles, and that he preached over 17,000 sermons, 
and ordained over 3,000 ministers. It will be diffi- 
cult to find another man who w^orked so hard or did 
so much or at so little cost to others. 

In looking over the four years immediately fol- 
lowing the decease of this patriarch of Methodism, 
it is delightful to observe that though the Lord took 
away the "master builder," he did not suffer the work 
to cease. Indeed, death was not permitted to touch 
him till others had been raised up with hearts and 
heads to take the cause where he left it, and carry 
it forward toward its grand destination. The net 
increase was 45,655 members and 201 traveling 
preachers. 

METHODISM ASSAILED FROM ANOTHER QUARTER. 

About 1 8 10, the American Board of Commis- 
sioners began to look after the great West, and 
gentlemen were sent out on an exploring tour, who 
made a very sad report of the condition of things, 
implicating the Methodists in several particulars, 
This brought certain of the disparaged preachers to 
the front, who showed themselves more "competent" 
than they had been represented, and led to a contro- 
versy which did much good. Competence and in- 
competence, education and ignorance, Calvinism and 
Arminianism, were the principal topics, and were 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1804-1816. 34 1 



all thoroughly sifted. The discussion lasted several 
years and revolutionized public sentiment so as 
to necessitate the rejection or the concealment of the 
"horrible decrees," in order to hold the people to 
their old associations, since which they have been 
very little preached. "Natural ability" was assumed 
for sinners to blunt the edge of reprobation, and jus- 
tify the claims and invitations of the Gospel. But 
no invention has availed to save the Calvinian system. 

Another good result of the controversy was the 
establishment of equal rights among the different 
sects. In the settlement of Connecticut no person was 
allowed to vote or hold a civil office unless he be- 
longed to the Church. Afterward a "half-way cove- 
nant" was arranged by which outsiders — members 
of the Congregational society might vote and hold 
office, while other sects were still taxed, and deprived 
of these rights. Further modifications followed, but 
after the war of 18 12, dissenters generally combined 
and overthrew the Charter of Charles II, and obtained 
a constitution, placing all denominations on an equal 
footing as to civil and religious liberty. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I816. 

This body convened at Baltimore. After making 
proper references to the loss of their senior bishop, 
they received and read his valedictory address in an 
unfinished state, indicating unabated interest in the 
Church he had so long and faithfully served. Taken 
in connection with his late conversation with Bishop 
M'Kendree, it shows that he had foreseen the future 
of the Western country, and had sketched magnifi- 
cent plans for its evangelization. 



342 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Bishop M'Kendree, the only surviving superin- 
tendent of the Church, presented an address, stating 
the condition of the work and its necessities, A ht- 
tle conflict in Lower Canada, among the British and 
American preachers, growing out of the late war, 
was considered and put upon a course of amicable 
adjustment. Enoch George and Robert Richford 
Roberts were elected bishops by ballot, the former 
by a majority of four votes and the latter by a 
majority of two. Special action was had, also, 
looking toward the better support of the preachers, 
to prevent, if possible, so many locations. Joshua 
Soule and Thomas Mason were made book agents, 
and the bishops, having families to support, were 
thrown upon the book concern for the means. 
This was the first divergence from the sixth restrict- 
ive rule, which pledges the entire proceeds of the 
book concern to **the benefit of traveling super- 
numerary, superannuated, and worn-out preachers, 
their Avives, widows, and children." At the outset, 
the bishops trusted to the people, in common with 
other preachers. In the year 1800, it was ordained 
by the General Conference, ' ' Each annual conference 
is to pay its proportional part toward the allowance 
of the bishops." Four years after, this order was 
made to embrace ''their widows and orphans." 

Both the new bishops were fresh from the itiner- 
ant field. Bishop George was about forty-nine years 
of age, a Virginian by birth and education, and well 
trained on large circuits and districts for the higher 
responsibilities to which he was now called. His 
zeal had broken him down two or three times, so 
that he was obliged to locate. He was not, perhaps, 



GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1804-18 16. 343 



a great preacher, but still he preached mightily, and 
the power of God attended his word. 

Mr. Roberts was a native of Maryland, eleven 
years younger, thoroughly converted, and similarly 
educated on circuits and districts. He was the first 
class-leader within the bounds of the present Erie 
Conference. *'A child of the wilderness, he had 
been educated in its hardy habits. His rugged 
frame and characteristic qualities all designated him 
as an effective evangelist for the great West. There 
he had built his log cabin, and dwelt comparatively 
out of sight of civilized man, tilling the earth in 
Summer, and hunting the bear, the deer, and the 
raccoon in Winter. He became one of the most 
expert huntsmen in his day. The entire Winter had 
he spent in his solitary cabin, twenty miles away 
from any human being, and cheered only by the 
faithful company of his favorite sister, who prepared 
his repasts of wild meat. He lived a circuit preacher 
as he had a settler, and a bishop as he had a circuit 
preacher, in a log cabin, and died in a log cabin." 
Removing his episcopal residence to Indiana, he 
built him a log cabin with his own hands. ''The 
allowance for his family expenses, besides two hun- 
dred per annum for quarterage, was, during most of 
his episcopal career, from two hundred to two hun- 
dred and fifty dollars per annum — at least this was 
the case till 1836." He was cheerful, benevolent, 
forbearing; an interesting preacher, not eloquent; 
brave, but yet diffident; the man for the times and 
the work he had to perform. 



344 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER VL 

OF NEW MEASURES — DEATH OF JESSE LEE — MISSIONARY 

SOCIETY FORMED GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 182O OF 

THE APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDING ELDERS RELATING 

TO THE BRITISH CONFERENCE OF OUR HYMN-BOOK 

AND CHURCHES DISTRICT CONFERENCES = — WHAT FOL- 
LOWED 1820 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 824 AND 

ITS ACTION FOUR DAYS' MEETINGS OTHER FIELDS 

OPENED DEATH OF FREEBORN GARRETTSON. 

BIDDING adieu to the General Conference of 
1 816, we pass along- amid various scenes 
of activity, all well-meant, but not alike successful. 
The first that strikes us was the organization of 
the "Tract Society" of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, organized by a few individuals, at New 
York, in 1817, with a view to supplying the poor 
with suitable religious reading. This furnished an 
easy and cheap method of reaching many people 
the Church had never addressed, and answered as 
well for defense as attack on the sins and prejudices 
of unbelievers. It was an old measure of Mr. Wes- 
ley, who formed the first society of the sort of 
which we have any record, January, 1782. The 
operations of this new society were limited for a 
number of years, but still effective. After under- 
going various modifications, it settled down upon its 
present basis. Confining itself to the distribution of 
our tracts, and therefore running at slight expense, 



NEW MEASURES. 



345 



it has done an immense amount of good with small 
means. Remembering that it purchases tracts at the 
rate of ten to twenty pages for a penny, the extent 
of its operations may be inferred from the following 
report of its receipts during the last few years: 



Year. 


Receipts. 


Year. 


Receipts. 


Year. 


Receipts. 


1853 


$6,420 82* 


1861 


$4,042 43 


1868 


$15,012 77 


1854 


8,062 07 


1862 


4,756 82 


1869 


15,417 76 


1855 


7,681 02 


1863 


8,718 25 


1870 


16,377 96 


1856 


3>388 49 


1864 


12,610 91 


1871 


16,630 53 


1857 


5,849 26 


1865 


15,050 28 


1872 


18,990 58 


1858 


4,o2r 30 


1866 


14,574 24 


1873 


17,926 15 


1859 


4,148 12 


1867 


13,102 13 


1874 


16,666 15 


i860 


2,803 60 











In the year 18 18, TJie Methodist Magazine was 
reissued, under the editorship of Rev. Joshua Soule. 
This was an advance step. It opened a medium of 
communication with the people that had long been 
needed. Not less than ten thousand subscribers were 
obtained the first year, and the doctrines and institu- 
tions of the Church became better understood, and 
the people of God more established in the unity of 
the faith. The first number was ornamented with a 
steel engraving of Bishop Asbury. The work was 
published regularly until 1841, when it assumed the 
title of Quarterly Reviezv, in which character it is 
still issued — an able and useful periodical. 

About this time, too, another effort was made to 
promote the cause of education. The " Cokesbury 
College" had been twice burned, an attempt to estab- 
lish district schools had failed, and the people were 
quite discouraged; but, in 18 17, Dr. Samuel K. Jen- 
nings and some others opened a literary institution 

■••'•This does not include the receipts of the Western treasurer. Whole 
amount received to December i, 1853, was not less than $i6,ooo. 



346 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



in Baltimore, which they called ''Asbury College." 
This, however, appeared but for a little time, and 
then, to the mortification of many, it vanished away. 
The same year an academy was established in New- 
market, New Hampshire, under the patronage of the 
New England Conference, and, two years after, an- 
other in the city of New York, under the patronage 
of the New York Conference. These were approved 
by the next General Conference, and other confer- 
ences were advised to establish similar institutions. 
The bishops were also authorized to appoint pres- 
idents, principals, or teachers to all such estab- 
lishments; but this was not effected without some 
opposition. Though the Church owed so much to 
the learning of its founders, some did not realize the 
importance of education. This may be attributed in 
part to the superior success of oUr preachers, in the 
absence of literary training, over that of others who 
had been thoroughly prepared for the work. The 
academy at Newmarket was afterward transferred to 
Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where it has flourished 
ever since, and been immensely useful. The one at 
New York was removed to White Plains, New York, 
and died after a few years. 

OF THE DEATH OF JESSE LEE. 

This year was also marked by the death of that 
distinguished man of God, Jesse Lee. He was born 
in Virginia in 1758, converted fifteen years afterward, 
entered the itinerancy in 1783, and continued in it 
till called to his heavenly reward, when about fifty- 
eight years of age. His end was triumphant. * ' Glory ! 
Glory! Halleluiah! Jesus reigns!" were among his 



NEW MEASURES. 



347 



last utterances. Though he had not seen eye to eye 
with Bishop M'Kendree, and there had been consid- 
erable difference between them, he said to a mutual 
friend, when near his end, ''Give my respects to 
Bishop M'Kendree, and tell him that I die in love 
with all the preachers ; that I love him, and that he 
lives in my heart." 

Mr. Lee was a man of sound common sense, 
limited education, ready wit, and indomitable perse- 
verance. Some thought him ambitious ; and he cer- 
tainly was so, to do good. If he desired to be a 
bishop, it was pardonable in him, as he was worthy 
of the office, and had earned it by his heroic efforts 
for the cause of God, and only failed of election by 
one vote. But he was too independent and outspoken 
to please some who consult safety more than pro- 
gress. He was a stanch advocate of the proposal to 
make the presiding elders elective, and some other 
modifications. His chief competitor for the bish- 
opric was Mr. Whatcoat, a good, safe man, who lost 
nothing by favoring changes in the policy of the 
Church. Office does not always follow the highest 
merit, either in Church or State. But Mr. Lee did 
a work that entitled him to an honorable rank among 
his brethren in earth and heaven. He entered the 
ministry when the Church was small and feeble, hav- 
ing only 82 traveling preachers, and 13,740 mem- 
bers, and left it with 716 ministers, and 224,853 
members. He was also the first historian of Ameri- 
can Methodism, and recorded many important facts 
to enrich the pages of his successors in that line of 
effort. Dr. Bangs, who knew him well, says: "His 
personal appearance was respectable and commanding; 



348 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



his countenance intelligent, and marked with that 
shrewdness by which he was peculiarly distinguished; 
and often a pleasant smile played over his lips, which 
gave an air of cheerfulness to his conversation. 

He stands enrolled among those early Meth- 
odist preachers, who contributed by their deep piety, 
their sacrifices and labors, to lay the foundation of 
that superstructure which has since risen in such 
beau4:y and grandeur in this western world." 

We might speak of another most interesting char- 
acter, who died in 1816; namely. Rev. George Shad- 
ford. He came out from England in 1773, influenced 
by Captain Webb, returned five years after, on ac- 
count of the war, but subsequently came back and 
took his place in the itinerant ranks. He had some 
wonderful experiences, and achieved a vast amount of 
good ; but our limits will not allow of further detail. 

THE MISSIONARY AND BIBLE SOCIETY FORMED. 

The labors of Methodists had been so emphatic- 
ally missionary in their character, that little had been 
thought of missions as understood by others. But 
now that some of the societies at the great centers 
were getting stronger, the subject began to attract 
attention, which led to the organization of our Mis- 
sionary and Bible Society in the City of New York, 
April 5, 1 8 19. A missionary society was also formed 
within the bounds of the Philadelphia Conference, 
about the same time. 

The next General Conference approved of both 
organizations ; but, considering the Book-room was 
in New York, a4id for some other reasons, it adopted 
the constitution of the society located there. To 



NEW MEASURES. 



349 



this central organization were soon added numerous 
auxiliaries, and the missionary spirit has continued 
to increase among us ever since, as will soon appear. 
The General Conference of 1836 recommended the 
dissolution of the Bible departm.ent of the society, 
with the view of co-operating with the American 
Bible Society, which was done soon after the adjourn- 
ment of that body. 

This brought our Church into pleasant co-opera- 
tion with that noble institution. Four years after, 
Rev. Edmund S. Janes was appointed one of its 
financial secretaries. He being elected bishop in 
1844, Dr. Noah Levings succeeded him in the secre- 
taryship. At his death, Dr. Holdich was elected to 
the office, and still retains it. Our Church has been 
honorably recognized by the society in other respects, 
and contributes annually to its funds. 

Since 1836, our missionary society has stood on 
its own merits. The extent of its operations may be 
inferred from the following exhibit of annual receipts: 

RECEIPTS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL MISSIONARY 
SOCIETY. 



Year Amount. 



1820 
182I 
1822 
1823 
1824 
1825 
1826 
1827 
1828 
1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 



823 04 
328 76 

547 39 
427 14 
589 92 
140 16 
964 II 
812 49 

245 17 
176 II 

118 63 
950 57 
379 66 
097 05 



Year 



1834 
1835 
1836 

1837 
1838 



i839ii32: 
136; 
139 
1842,139 



1840 
1 841 



Amount. Yea 



$35: 
3O: 
59: 
57: 
96: 



184. 
1844 

1845 
1846 

1847 



144 
146 

94 
89 
78 



700 15 
492 21 
517 16 
096 05 
087 36 
480 29 
410 87 
925 76 

473 25 
770 80 
578 78 
562 27 
528 26 
932 73 



1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 

1857 
1858' 
1859 
i860 
1861 



$81, 

84, 
104, 
126, 
•52, 
338, 
226, 
219, 
238, 
272, 
258, 
270, 
262, 
250, 



600 34 
045 15 
579 54 
471 31 
482 48 
068 39 
412 05 
304 04 
441 92 
190 48 
234 61 
667 19 
722 77 
.374 93 



Year 



1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1,868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 



$272, 
429 
558 
642, 

686, 

6i3: 
606, 

634: 
602, 
629 
673 

1873I 689 
18741 675 



523 71 
768 75 
993 26 
740 67 
380 30 
020 96 
661 69 
704 II 
951 27 
921 75 
,756 60 
.736 64 
,080 32 



350 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



How and where these funds have been expended, 
will appear hereafter. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I 820. 

This body convened in Baltimore on the first day 
of May, as usual, and was composed of eighty-nine 
delegates, a small assembly compared with that which 
assembled in Brooklyn, New York, in 1872, con- 
sisting of four hundred and twenty-one delegates. 
Bishops M'Kendree, George, and Roberts, presided. 
Their administration was approved, and Bishop 
M'Kendree, then very feeble in health, Avas affection- 
ately excused from any further episcopal service than 
he might feel able and inclined to perform, and pro- 
vision was made for his support. 

OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDING ELDERS. 

This conference was distinguished by the adoption 
of a new rule with regard to the powder of the bishops. 
The history of episcopacy, not our own, was calcu- 
lated to create suspicion, and suggest caution. The 
first twelve elders ordained were necessarily presiding 
elders, their ordination being particularly designed to 
furnish the people with the sacraments. To meet 
this demand, they had to sweep over a wider field 
than was even then embraced in a single circuit. 
(See Emory's Hist. Dis., p. 129.) This suggested 
their importance in other respects," particularly in 
supervising and extending the work, in connection 
with the bishops. In 1792, the General Conference 
constituted them a distinct class of elders, and defined 
their duties, ordaining that they should be chosen by 
the bishop presiding. This, of course, gave the 



NEW MEASURES. 



bishops great power. Though they had no vote in 
any conference, annual or general, having the appoint- 
ment of the presiding elders, who exercise all their 
great authority in their absence, save that of ordain- 
ing, they could easily secure the election of ministers 
to the General Conferences of their own way of think- 
ing on most subjects. What then seemed probable 
has since become history. Every General Confer- 
ence has been largely composed of presiding elders. 

But there was a feeling in some leading minds in 
1820 that our government gave too much power to 
the bishops. The preachers had cheerfully submitted 
to Mr. Wesley and taken their appointments from his 
assistants, and the bishops who had succeeded to his 
jurisdiction; but now that the Church had come to 
number about one thousand traveling preachers, many 
of whom were the equals of the bishops in talents and 
admiration of Methodism, they thought it would be 
better to relieve the bishops of a part of their respon- 
sibility, and give it to the conferences. And partic- 
ularly so, as the sovereignty of the bishops over the 
appointments had been a continual source of irrita- 
tion from the beginning. Rev. James O'Kelly 
was lost to the Church by it in 1792, with many 
others. Dr. Coke had proposed relief twenty years 
before, which failed, no doubt, purely by reason of 
the high respect entertained for Bishop Asbury. In 
1808, a motion was made in the General Conference 
to make the office of presiding elder elective by the 
votes of the annual conferences, and fifty-two voted 
for it, but seventy-three against it. A similar motion 
was made in 18 12, and lost by only three votes. It 
failed again in 18 16, though one of the bishops favored 



352 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



it. Four years after, a similar proposition was pre- 
sented and lost, creating considerable uneasiness, when 
Dr. Bangs moved the reference of the subject to a 
committee of three on each side, to confer with - the 
bishops and report what alterations, if any, might be 
made to conciliate the wishes of the brethren. This 
prevailed, and Ezekiel Cooper, Stephen G. Roszel, 
Nathan Bangs, Joshua Wells, John Emory, and 
William Capers were appointed. After proper con- 
sultation with the bishops the committee unani- 
mously reported. May 20th, to be inserted in the 
Discipline : 

"I. That whenever, in any annual conference, 
there shall be a vacancy or vacancies in the office of 
presiding elder, in consequence of his period of serv- 
ice of four years having expired, or the bishop wish- 
ing to remove a presiding elder, or by death, resig- 
nation, or otherwise, the bishop or president of the 
conference having ascertained the number wanted 
from any of these causes, shall nominate three times 
the number, out of which the conference shall elect 
by ballot, without debate, the number wanted; pro- 
vided, when there is more than one wanted, not 
more than three at a time shall be nominated, nor 
more than one at a time elected; provided, also, 
that in case of any vacancy or vacancies in the office 
of presiding elder in the interval of an annual con- 
ference, the bishop shall have authority to fill the 
said vacancy or vacancies, until the ensuing annual 
conference. 

"2. That the presiding elders be and hereby are 
made the advisory council of the bishop or president 
of the conference in stationing the preachers." 



N£IV MEASURES. 



353 



(Bangs's History, Vol. II, pp. 335-347, General Con- 
ference Journal for 1820.) 

After some conversation, the report was adopted, 
sixty-one voting for it, and twenty-five against it, seem- 
ing to settle the vexed question forever. But it did 
not. Rev. Joshua Soule, who had been elected bishop 
seven days before, but not consecrated, entertaining 
high Episcopal opinions, informed the conference 
that this action was unconstitutional, and he could 
not consistently with his views, be controlled by it. 
Bishop M'Kendree entertained similar views, and 
thought the measure subversive of the itinerancy. 
This brought up the subject again, in motions, 
counter motions, and debates, whereupon Mr. Soule 
resigned; but a majority stood by their action, and 
accepted his resignation. But in view of the solic- 
itude of Bishop M'Kendree, and other eminent men, 
the new rule in relation to presiding elders was sus- 
pended for four years. In 1824, it was again sus- 
pended till 1828, when, amid the storm of radicalism 
that howled over the Middle States, threatening to 
sweep away the very foundations of the Church, it 
was rescinded, since which no serious effort has been 
made to revive the subject, except by secessional 
factions who have uniformly centered around this, as 
the most vulnerable point in Methodism. 

OUR RELATIONS TO THE BRITISH CONFERENCE. 

As before stated, the two wars with England in 
1776 and 18 1 2 greatly disturbed the pleasant rela- 
tions of the two bodies separated by the Atlantic 
Ocean more than by any difference of sentiment or 
purpose. The last had created no little conflict 

30 



354 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



between our preachers in Canada and the EngHsh mis- 
sionaries, particularly in the Eastern District. This 
led to considerable correspondence. It was, how- 
ever, conducted in an excellent spirit, all parties 
seeming determined not to contend, nor suffer their 
feelings to, be agitated, or their friendly relations to 
be broken up. In the year 1820 the General Con- 
ference appointed Mr. John Emory a delegate to the 
British Conference, and adopted an address to that 
body, proposing a division of territory as the best 
method of bringing the question of difference to a 
settlement. The proposition was duly considered, 
and acceded to, by which Lower Canada became 
connected with the English Conference, and Upper 
Canada retained its former connection with us; each 
body withdrawing all its preachers from the other's 
ground, and agreeing in no way to interfere there- 
with ; an example of urbanity and prudent manage- 
ment seldom, if ever, set before by two great denom- 
inations of Christians. We mention this to show how 
our Church became disconnected with a portion of 
territory upon which she bestowed early attention, 
and in which she achieved magnificent results; and 
will only add, that there has been no revival of the 
difficulty since. 

This was not the only advantage of the measure. 
Mr. Emory bore a fraternal letter to the British Con- 
ference proposing an interchange of delegates with 
that body, which was cordially accepted. Though 
our modes of procedure differ in some respects, we 
are one in name, spirit, and purpose, and find no difli- 
culty in affiliating as we happen to come within each 
other's lines. And if we mistake not the signs of 



NEW MEASURES. 



355 



the times, this good example is being imitated by 
the younger and smaller bodies of Methodists, and, 
indeed, by all Christian denominations. 

ORIGIN OF OUR HYMN-BOOK. 

As our Hymn-book is being considerably criti- 
cised, and seems to be approaching another revision, 
it may be interesting to the young reader to glance 
at its early history. The first collection in use in 
this country was prepared and printed by Mr. Wesley, 
and was entitled, ''A collection of Psalms and Hymns 
for the Lord's day." It was printed in 1784. We 
are not informed whether it underwent any essential 
change till the time of which we are speaking, but 
presume it did not, as there was little enterprise in 
the Book Concern in those days. But the General 
Conference of 1820 adopted a revision made by the 
Book Committee, and ordered it to be printed. That 
edition was afterward altered by affixing the names 
of the tunes to the hymns, and in 1836 a supplement 
was added. Thus it remained till superseded by 
another revision, ordered by the General Conference 
of 1848. Imperfect as any of these revisions were, 
they had the merit of being our standard Hymn- 
book, and were current in all our Churches. The 
poorest of them is better than the trash that is now 
being forced into our pulpits by private enterprise. 
Every minister who preaches to secure a specific 
result, will try to select lessons and hymns that have 
a tendency to produce it. But if he is to be pre- 
sented with a different hymn-book in every pulpit 
that he may visit, he must be embarrassed. We 
have lately encountered half a dozen strange substi- 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



tutes for our standard collection, in which, for want 
of time, perhaps, we failed to find any thing appro- 
priate, one of them containing less than seventy 
hymns, all told, and that in a splendid church. 

The General Conference of 1820 also provided for 
the publication of a tune-book, adapted to our Avants. 
This continued in use till 1832, when it was revised 
and republished. Four years after, arrangements 
were made for an improved edition, which was in use 
for several years, when others were issued, of which 
we need not speak. 

OF FREE AND PEWED CHURCHES. 

Up to this time, most of our houses of worship 
were free. The difficulty of erecting churches on 
this principle, however, had become quite obvious in 
many places, and some had adopted the pew system. 
This gave considerable alarm, and the General Con- 
ference took decided ground on the subject. But 
its action had little effect. The people in certain sec- 
tions found free houses utterly impracticable, without 
encumbering themselves with unmanageable debts, 
and therefore took the responsibility of erecting 
pewed houses, as their English brethren did before 
Mr. Wesley's death, and have ever done since. (See 
Dr. Dixon's remarks before the General Conference 
of 1848.) This was always a little afflictive to the 
South and West; but they endured it as a less evil 
than no churches at all, which was the other alterna- 
tive in many places. Had there been no restriction 
of this kind, it is believed we should have had more 
and better churches, with less debts; perhaps not. 
But now, if enough desire a pewed house in any part 



NEW MEASURES. 



357 



of the country, to build one, and maintain public 
worship therein in a peaceable and brotherly way, 
they will be treated in a kind and conciliatory 
spirit by any conference in the connection, however 
strongly biased in favor of free churches. In essen- 
tial things, Methodists plead for unity ; in ;/^?;^-essen- 
tials, for libeHy ; and in all things for charity. If we 
mistake not, however, the tendency is in favor of 
free churches. As liberality and the desire for the 
salvation of the masses increases, free churches will 
become more common. At all events, many old aris- 
tocratic pews are now wide open to all the people, invit- 
ing them to come in without money and without price. 

DISTRICT CONFERENCES INTRODUCED. 

There was some complaint among the local preach- 
ers about this time, because they were amenable to 
the quarterly conferences. They claimed the right 
of being tried by their peers. To quiet any uneasi- 
ness from this source, the General Conference of 1820 
provided for '^District Conferences,'' to be composed 
of all the local preachers in any one presiding elder's 
district who had been licensed two years. The elder 
of the district was to preside, or, in his absence, the 
conference might elect one of its own body to take 
his place. This new judicatory was empowered to 
grant and renew licenses to preach, to recommend 
candidates to the annual conferences for admission on 
trial, and for orders ; and to try, suspend, expel, or 
acquit, such local preachers as might be accused ; but 
they could license no one to preach unless he Avas 
recommended for that office by the quarterly confer- 
ence of his circuit. But this arrangement did not 



358 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



work as was hoped. Many of the most useful of the 
local preachers disapproved of it, and would not take 
the trouble to attend the conferences ; while those 
Avho needed restraint, rather than more liberty, made 
these meetings the occasion of considerable mischief. 
The result was, their powers were restricted from 
time to time, and restored to the quarterly confer- 
ence ; and in 1836 the district conferences were dis- 
banded, to await another experiment, which will be 
noticed in its chronological order. 

OF NEW CHURCHES. 

This conference took very strong ground with 
regard to new places of worship, requiring that they 
should be firmly secured to the Church by our deed 
of settlement. And, to avoid embarrassing debts, it 
forbade the commencement of any new one until 
three-foiu'tJis of the amount necessary to complete it 
should be subscribed, a rule which has operated, 
perhaps, to restrain extravagant enterprises ; but, like 
that which required "churches to be built plain and 
decent, with free seats," has been largely disregarded. 
Our departures from these rules have occasioned no 
little trouble, but, on the whole, have probably con- 
tributed to the furtherance of the Gospel. Many 
have been drawn in and converted to God who 
would not have been reached had the Discipline been 
rigidly followed. But we have evidently gone to 
the extreme in building costly churches, and shall 
learn from our embarrassments to be more cautious 
in the future. From being too lax we became too 
lavish, and have a fair prospect of reaching the happy 
medium. 



A'EJV MEASURES. 



359 



PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING THE GENERAL CONFERENCE 
OF 1820. 

This body adjourned, after a most exciting and 
important session, with twelve annual conferences, 
two effective bishops, and large educational and mis- 
sionary plans, to be worked out over a vast extent 
of country. Louisiana contained a population of 
220,000 inhabitants, mostly French Roman Catholics 
and slaves, with only one hundred and fifty-one 
white, and fifty-eight colored members, in charge of 
one presiding elder and two preachers. The prospect 
was not encouraging. The Indians promised less, 
perhaps, but received considerable attention. They 
were supposed to number about 185,000 in the 
United States and Canada. They generally believed 
in the KesJia-Miineto — the Good Spirit ; and equally 
in the MansJie-Mjineto — the evil spirit, with any num- 
ber of subordinate deities, called Miineto. Then they 
were divided into many tribes, each having a differ- 
ent language. Besides, they were greatly cursed by 
the whites, who cheated them, and infuriated them 
with bad rum. Still, our missionaries achieved much 
success, and their experiences and observations fur- 
nish an interesting chapter in the history of missions. 
About this time, the Government granted ;^ 16, 000 
for the education of the Indians, a part of which 
went to the support of our schools among them. 
The origin of the work among the Wyandot Indians 
was remarkable. A free colored man in Virginia, 
by the name of Stewart, becoming converted, felt 
that he must go somewhere north-west in pursuit 
of the 'Most sheep of the house of Israel." In 1816 



36o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



he started, and continued his march until he reached 
the Indians on the Sandusky River, where he com- 
menced to tell the story of the cross, beginning with 
an old Indian woman. The next day, his congrega- 
tion was enlarged by the addition of an old man. 
Both were soon converted. Thus, he continued his 
labors till a missionary was duly appointed, and the 
mission fell under the charge of Rev. J. B. Finley, 
whose connection with it is full of interest. Stewart 
died in the Lord among his people December 17, 
1823, but his work abides. How strange are the 
ways of Providence ! 

The missionary spirit seemed to increase rapidly, 
and many auxiliaries were formed. Rev. J. A. 
Merrill was appointed a missionary within the bounds 
of the New England Conference, and traversed Ver- 
mont, New Hampshire, and Maine, laying the 
foundation of many of the societies which have long 
appeared in the minutes. In answer to questions 
proposed by the society, he said: "I have visited 
and preached in seventy towns, traveled 3,670 miles, 
preached 240 sermons in about eight months." He 
further says, in relation to Lunenburg, Vermont: "T 
have attended a number of meetings in that place, 
and the power of God was manifested among the 
people. ... At one time the whole assembly 
rose and requested prayers." 

Alabama was admitted as a State in 18 19, and 
was immediately put under cultivation by the itiner- 
ants, who traversed the country. The total increase, 
for 182 1, was 81 preachers, and 21,256 members. 
Rev. Fitch Reed was this year sent to York (Toronto), 
Canada, from which he reported 104 members the 



NEW MEASURES. 



361 



year following. What hath God wrought in that 
flourishing cit}/- since ! 

The missionary cause and Methodism were greatly 
benefited by the flaming zeal and incomparable 
eloquence of John Summerfield, who came from 
Ireland, and joined the New York Conference in 
1 82 1. Vast multitudes were attracted, by his mar- 
velous power, to hear of God and religion, who were 
too prejudiced to listen to ordinary men. Methodism 
owes much to remarkable men, thus called out in 
God's providence to meet emergencies. Summer- 
field's race was short, but it was exceedingly brilliant 
and effective. He died in 1826, in the twenty-eighth 
year of his age, and the eighth of his ministry. 

In 1823, Rev. Alfred Brunson (still living, as 
we write) was appointed to the Detroit Circuit, Mich- 
igan, which extended four hundred miles through the 
country; and, with his colleague, increased the mem- 
bership to 161, where now in the two conferences 
in that State we have 571 preachers, and 49,679 
members. 

Florida had been recently ceded to the United 
States by Spain, to compensate for damages done to 
her commerce. It was originally settled by Spanish 
Roman Catholics; but nothing daunted by this cir- 
cumstance the Rev. Joshua N. Glenn was sent to St. 
Augustine, the oldest town in North America, and the 
capital of East Florida, and raised a society of fifty-two 
members, forty of whom were colored. Twenty-two 
years after, the Florida Conference reported 6,816 
members, and 32 traveling preachers, all of whom 
went with the Church South in 1845. Let us con- 
sider the courage of the fathers in these unpromising 

3^ 



362 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



beginnings, and the results which have followed. 
They believed the Gospel, properly presented, would 
convert not wild Indians only, but Catholics. 

The Rev. Jesse Walker was the same year sent 
out as a missionary to St. Louis, on the Mississippi, 
a town originally settled by French Romanists, and 
in a very low state of morals; but he raised a society 
of nearly one hundred members and built a little 
church. The St. Louis Conference of our Church 
now numbers 16,493 members, and that of the 
Church South, 137 preachers, and 23,800 members, 
to say nothing of many thousands connected with 
other branches of the Wesleyan family, all of which 
sprang from that unpromising beginning. 

During the four years following the General 
Conference of 1820, there was much peace and pros- 
perity. The net increase to the Church was 68,633 
members, and 376 traveling preachers; making the 
total membership of the Church 329,795. (Bangs's 
History, Vol. Ill, pp. 102-151.) 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I 824. 

The General Conference of 1824 was distinguished 
in several respects. It was honored with the pres- 
ence of Rev. Richard Reece, as a representative from 
the British Conference, and Rev. John Hannah, as 
his traveling companion. This was the first time the 
Church had received the Christian salutations of that 
body by an official representative, and this occurred 
in reciprocation of the regard the conference mani- 
fested for its honored matron four years before in 
sending Mr. Emory representative to her annual 
assembly. The intercourse was both pleasant and 



NEIV MEASURES. 



363 



profitable, and has since been kept up, to the credit 
of the parties, the honor of rehgion, and the unity 
of Methodism. Our Church has since been repre- 
sented among them by Dr. Wilham Capers, Bishop 
Soule, Dr. Fisk, Dr. Ohn, and Bishops Simpson and 
Ames. In return they have sent to us Rev. WiUiam 
Lord, Drs. Newton, Dixon, Hannah, Thornton, and 
Wiseman. Distant, we hope, will be the day when 
any thing shall occur to disturb the fraternity of 
these grand old organizations. The difference be- 
tween us is not essential; nothing, indeed, but what 
either of us could cheerfully adopt in an exchange 
of position. If the question should be started as to 
which is the most ^ thoroughly Wesleyan, we, of 
course, would contend earnestly. In regard to free 
seats, organs, and some other minor matters, neither 
will be likely to covet investigation. As to our 
episcopacy and ordinations, we are just what Mr. 
Wesley meant we should be, all but the name bishop. 
That for prudential reasons, he did not fancy. But 
their ordinations are not Wesleyan in this sense. 
Mr. Wesley did not authorize them, though we have 
no doubt, if he were on earth, they would have his 
approval. Nor are we less defensible on other 
points ; but it is not necessary to refer to them. We 
have made these allusions for the exclusive benefit 
of croakers, who sometimes complain that we have 
departed from Wesley. 

OF LAY REPRESENTATION. 

This conference received numerous memorials from 
laymen and local preachers, claiming the "right'' to 
representation in the legislative department of the 



364 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Church. These were referred to a committee who 
reported it inexpedient to grant the prayer of the 
petitioners, with a circular to be sent to them on the 
subject. The report was freely discussed and adopted. 

Education was treated with more zeal and deter- 
mination than ever, the Augusta College having 
been opened the year before. It enjoys the honor 
of being the oldest living Methodist institution of 
the kind in the country. The Missionary Society 
made a feeble report of receipts from the beginning 
of ;^I4, 716. 24^, which the conference received with 
thanksgiving to God, saying, "We began feeble, 
but God has strengthened us; we began fearful, but 
God has encouraged and assured us." 

The conference also glanced at the claims of the 
American Colonization Society, but hesitated to in- 
dorse them for want of information. It also gave 
some attention to slavery, about which its predeces- 
sors had made many rules, always denouncing it 
as an evil, but never with satisfactory results, and 
made arrangements to manage rather than extirpate 
it, seeming to feel that it was beyond the reach of 
ecclesiastical control. It elected two additional bish- 
ops. Revs. Joshua Soule and Elijah Hedding, and 
planted the whole board on the book concern for 
support. It also authorized the bishops to select a 
delegate to visit the Wesleyan Conference in 1826, 
which was not done, so that none was sent to us 
from that body in 1828. Finding that the circuit 
system did not allow of proper pastoral supervision 
and Sunday-school instruction in the larger towns, 
the bishops were requested, in effect, to restrict the 
circuits or supplant them by stations, which was 



N£W MEASURES. 



doubtless a step in the right direction. If the cir- 
cuit system converted more, of which we are by no 
means certain, it did not gather into the Church and 
retain so many. 

FROM 1824 TO 1828. 

Running hastily over the history of the Church 
from this point, we find it every-where marked with 
revivals and improvements. The missionary spirit 
■\vas gradually advancing, and more interest was 
being felt in education; but the mortification of the 
Church in relation to education was not complete, 
though it was very great. In 1826, the Pittsburg 
Conference started another literary institution under 
flattering circumstances. It was denominated ''Mad- 
ison College," and was under the presidency of Rev. 
Henry B. Bascom; but it soon passed away, for the 
want of funds. The academy, however, established 
at Wilbraham the same year, under the charge of 
Dr. Fisk, has run a glorious race of usefulness and 
done the Church incalculable service. Though it has 
suffered severe losses by fire af different times, it is 
now in the height of its prosperity. 

OF DENOMINATIONAL PERIODICALS. 

In 18 1 5, The Neiv Eiigland Missionary Magazine 
was commenced at Concord, New Hampshire, edited 
by Rev. Martin Ruter, but was suspended after a 
few months. In 1823, Zions Herald appeared in 
Boston, the first weekly Methodist paper in the 
world, measuring nine by sixteen inches. It has ex- 
erted a powerful influence on the interests of the 
Church, and is likely to hold on its way to the 



366 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



distant future. It was the only Church paper really' 
open to abolitionists during the long antislavery 
struggle. On the 9th day of September, 1826, the 
CJmstian Advocate made its first appearance at the 
book concern in New York. Its subscription-list 
soon numbered tJiirty thousand, far exceeding that of 
every other paper in the country. It has been en- 
larged several times, till it has become a mammoth 
sheet. Its present issue is about fifty thousand cop- 
ies per week. 

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION ORGANIZED. 

An institution, established the year following, 
contemplated another necessity which it aimed to 
meet. We refer to the Sunday-school Union of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church." The Church 
commenced Sabbath-school operations as early as 
1790, but had always been embarrassed for the 
want of Bibles and other books. Measures had 
been adopted, several years before, with reference to 
these necessities, but they had not proved sufficient 
to their supply. The design of this institution was 
to afford pecuniary aid to poor schools, and, by the 
establishment of auxiliaries and other means, to ex- 
tend and strengthen the Sabbath-school work. The 
society is now exercising a particular watch-care over 
this department of effort throughout the connection, 
and in raising funds and making donations to new 
and poor schools at home and among our mission- 
ary stations. A small collection from each of our 
Churches will enable the managers to do immense 
good, without injury to any one. It is worked with 
little expense, not being a publishing house, and 



NEW MEASURES. 



can, therefore, appropriate its receipts to the one 
object of its existence. 

In tracing the history of this society, we find that 
at its anniversary, held May 14, 1845, there were in 
the Church 5,005 schools, 47,252 officers and teach- 
ers, and 263,775 scholars, and that the total receipts 
had been only ;^685.22 in four years; and up to Jan- 
uary I, 1847, they were ;^2,336.88. Since then they 
have been as follows: 



Year. 


Receipts. 


Year. 


Receipts. 


Year, 


Receipts. 


1848 


$3,787 66 


1857 


$11,268 88 


1866 


$19,620 08 


1849 


4,058 74 


1858 


11,299 57 


1867 




1850 


5,008 60 


1859 


12,796 74 


1868 


21,286 02 


1851 


i860 


2,007 32 


1869 


20,670 82 


1852 


7,258 09 


1861 


11,214 64 


1870 


22,406 83 


1853 


9,584 17 


1862 


9,595 89 


1871 


23,417 57 


1854 


10,170 23 


1863 


12,978 48 


1872 


22,992 88 


1855 


11,381 54 


1864 




1873 


21,473 20 


1856 


12,316 37 


1865 


17,738 37 


1874 


20,612 17 



Now (1874) we show 18,628 schools, 200,492 
officers and teachers, 1,363,376 scholars, indicating 
a pretty large increase in twenty-nine years; and 
still the fields are white to the harvest. 



four-days' meetings. 

The year 1827 brought out another prudential 
measure, which, for a time, exerted a powerful influ- 
ence for good; we refer to four-days"' meetings. 
This was not the first time that religious meetings had 
been extended beyond a single day. Under partic- 
ular circumstances they had been continued to great 
lengths, and were justified only by extraordinary re- 
ligious interest that pervaded the community. But 
these ^four days''' meetings were instituted where 



368 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



there was no interest, for the purpose of promoting 
a revival. They were introduced by the Rev. John 
Lord, of the New England Conference, in the month 
of September, 1827,. Such were their good effects 
they soon spread abroad in every direction, and were 
holden by most of the evangelical denominations with 
success. But at length they seemed to lose their 
power, and are now held with less frequency. But 
they opened the way to more protracted efforts, for 
the salvation of souls, which have been perpetuated to 
the present day and seem likely to be continued. It 
will be a sad day for the world when all our public 
religious operations shall be confined to the Sabbath 
and an evening or two in each week. This can never 
be the case, we think, till the ministiy and the 
Church become generally backslidden from God. 
While they feel concerned for the cause of Christ, 
they will see the necessity of holding extra meetings, 
and calling in their brethren to help them preach and 
pray, and arouse the people to a proper state of 
anxiety about their souls. And it is to be hoped 
they will not want the necessary courage to hold 
them, though some may mock, and accuse them of 
'^getting up revivals.'' The truth is, those who do 
right will be censured, and especially if they infringe 
upon secular time by their religious movements. 
Many people will never brook such "extravagance." 
But there are some who will rejoice in it. They 
may be a small minority, but, nevertheless, they are 
the hope of the Church. God has gained more con- 
quests by these little bands of earnest, burning Chris- 
tians, than by whole kingdoms of professors, who 
have had a name to live while they were dead. 



NEW MEASURES. 



The year 1825 was a remarkable year for revivals 
among the Indians, in which the famous Peter Jones 
acted a considerable part. New Orleans, which was 
settled near the close of the seventeenth century by 
French Roman Catholics (their religion established 
by law), was, perhaps, as vile a place as there was 
on the continent. In 1763 it was ceded to Spain, 
in 1 80 1 it passed over to the French Republic, and 
three years after, to the United States by purchase. 
Then it began to thrive. The first Protestant Church 
in the place was erected by the Presbyterians in 
1820. The Methodists made several efforts to secure 
a foothold, but with httle success until 1825, when 
Rev. William Winans was placed on the Mississippi 
District, and took it under his care. The next year 
the minutes show twenty-three white and sixty 
colored members. Twelve years later, the town em- 
braced five hundred and seventy colored and sev- 
enty white members. Mobile and Pensacola were en- 
tered by missionaries about the same time, under 
similar difficulties, but have made good progress. 
This year the total net increase was forty-two minis- 
ters, and 19,672 members. It was, however, a sad 
year for the Wyandot Mission, suffering as it did, 
the loss by death of Between-the-logs," a most 
eminent chief, whose Christian influence had contrib- 
uted much to the elevation of his people. 

DEATH OF FREEBORN GARRETTSON. 

This year, too, closed the career of that remarka- 
ble man of God, Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, who 
joined the itinerant ranks in 1775, when the whole 
Church consisted of nineteen preachers and 3, 148 



370 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



members. He had traversed the country from Nova 
Scotia to South CaroHna, and proved himself true 
and faithful in every emergency. After fifty-two 
years of unquestioned fidelity to the Master he fin- 
ished his course with joy, leaving the struggling Church 
of his early choice with 1,642 ministers and 421,- 
105 members. We might make honorable mention 
also of James Smith, Seth Crowell, and other noble 
itinerants, who entered into rest about the same time, 
if our limits would permit. (See Bangs's History, 
Vol. Ill, page 364.) 



THE REFORM MOVEMENT. 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I 82 8 TROUBLE WITH RE- 
FORMERS METHODLST PROTESTANT CHURCH ORGAN- 
IZED AFFAIRS IN CANADA PUBLISHING FUND DEATH 

OF BISHOP GEORGE NEW SOURCES OF CONTROVERSY 

SUCCESS WITH THE INDIANS, ETC. GENERAL CONFERENCE 

OF 1832 DEATH OF TWO BISHOPS ETC. 



E have now reached the period when the writer 



V V took his first lessons in Methodism, under the 
ministrations of Rev. Ebenezer Blake, of the New 
England Conference, and a member of the General 
Conference of 1824. About noon, one Summer's 
day, in 1828, a dusty, weather-beaten old man drove 
to the door of "mine host," and alighted with his 
saddle-bags in hand for dinner. On coming to the 
table he invoked a blessing and proceeded to detail 
the circumstances of a trial to which he had been 
subjected, and which had just been decided against 
him by the General Conference, holden at Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, leaving him completely out of the 
Church, He had traveled on horseback from far 
down in Maine to that Western city to argue his 
appeal, and justify his sentiments, and was now work- 
ing his way back to die alone. But he was not mad. 
He told his story in a good spirit, censured nobody, 
loved the Church still, and the conference too, all 
having treated him very kindly, but thought he was 
right in the matter of difference between them. After 




372 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



resting a day or two, he passed on, and died several 

years after, a good old man, having honestly kept 

the faith as he understood it. That was Rev. Joshua 

Randall, a strong man in some respects, but Dr. 

Fisk who argued the case against him, carried the 

whole conference, with a single exception. This was 

our first acquaintance with General Conferences. 
\ 

TROUBLE WITH REFORMERS. 

As suggested in writing of the last General Con- 
ference, a movement was inaugurated several years 
before to effect a radical reform in our Church 
government. It first appeared in private circles. 
The subject of lay representation in the conferences 
was the main topic, and it was argued that such 
representation was both right and expedient, and 
should be allowed. Some became , very sanguine, 
and committed themselves to bring about the pro- 
posed change. 

But private talk was not alone sufficient, and pub- 
lic discussion was deemed inexpedient, since few had 
courage enough to come out openly and vindicate 
their new conceptions; and, besides, there was little 
opportunity; for the interest was so limited, the 
agitation would not be tolerated in ordinary religious 
meetings, and special meetings could not be sus- 
tained. To give greater publicity to the question, 
the leading spirits in the movement started a paper 
at Trenton, New Jersey, in 1820, called the Wesley an 
Repository. This afforded a fine opportunity for 
the malcontents to vent their spleen against the 
Church, and paint the beauties of their imaginary 
systems before the eyes of all people, without being 



THE REFORM MO YEMEN T. 



373 



detected. To secure more efficiency by a concentra- 
tion of influence, the friends of the cause in Balti- 
more formed what they called a ''Union Society,'' 
and invited the friends of reform to do the same 
throughout the country — to which call many re- 
sponded- 

To harmonize the contending elements, the male 
members of Baltimore were called together in 1824, 
and united in a compromise memorial to the General 
Conference, then about to meet, asking for certain 
modifications of the government. This, however, 
did not please the more zealous of the "reformers," 
and they united themselves in a separate society, 
and demanded lay representation in the General Con- 
ference as a natural and social right. But the Gen- 
eral Conference did not see cause to acquiesce in their 
wishes. That body believed that there was general 
satisfaction with the government as it was, and that 
while the alterations proposed might please the me- 
morialists, they would give offense to ten times their 
number, and cripple the operations of the Church, 
which were being attended with wonderful success. 

The failure of these memorials, prepared with so 
much labor and care, and speaking with so much em- 
phasis and even authority, as one of them did, was 
quite intolerable. The conference was denounced in 
the most unsparing manner, and the war raged with 
increasing clamor. To give the more certainty to their 
movements, another paper was started in Baltimore, 
under the fascinating title of Mutual Rights. This at 
once became the vehicle of all the reasoning and 
wrath of the party. Men who were unwilling to 
take the open field, would hide here behind a 



374 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



fictitious name, and complain bitterly. Indeed, it was 
an abusive concern, and it became obvious enough 
that no person was fit to belong to the Church who 
would patronize it. The Baltimore Conference, there- 
fore, in 1827, called Rev. D. B. Dorsey, a member of 
that body, and yet one of the "Reformers," to an 
account, and left him without an appointment. A 
little after, eleven local preachers of Baltimore City, 
who were chief actors in the drama, and twenty-five 
lay members of the more belligerent kind, were cited 
to trial, and either expelled or suspended. 

But these steps were not taken till the revolu- 
tionists had been long borne with, and earnestly en- 
treated to desist from their ruinous course. Others 
were expelled afterward, and some withdrew; but 
the great mass, who sympathized with the move- 
ment at first, saw the folly of carrying it to such 
lengths, and preferred the Church without reform to 
the hazards of revolution, which they saw approach- 
ing. So that, on the whole, the loss to the Church 
was comparatively small. 

A similar operation was experienced in other 
places, though on a smaller scale, and it seemed that 
the Church would be destroyed at a stroke. But 
when the crisis came, there was too much relig- 
ion, or something else, to admit of it. The more 
considerate retraced their steps. They could not 
sell their privileges and the enjoyments of Church 
fellowship for a mere abstraction. TJuy had never 
been oppressed, nor did they know of a member of the 
Church who had been. Why, therefore, be alarmed? 
Besides, they knew our government had worked to 
admiration, that it had accomplished all the ends of 



THE REFORM MO VEMENT. 



375 



government, had been the means of more good than 
any other in the world; and they knew not what the 
new system would be, or what it would effect. 

This subject was forced upon the General Confer- 
ence of 1828, by petitions of the most radical char- 
acter, to which the conference replied in a very able 
report presented by Dr. Emory, but written by Dr. 
Bond, which has never been answered, though one 
vital point contended for by the petitioners has since 
been conceded, we trust, for the good of all con- 
cerned. (See Bangs's History, Vol. Ill, pp. 413-440.) 

The two principal writers on the side of the 
"Reformers" were Rev. Nicholas Snethen and Rev. 
Alexander M'Caine, both formerly influential travel- 
ing preachers. To the surprise of many. Dr. Thomas 
E. Bond, a local preacher of Baltimore, and after- 
ward editor of the Christian Advocate and Journal, 
took the first in hand, and presented to the public 
one of the clearest and most convincing defenses of 
our government ever written. Meeting all the va- 
rious objections and prejudices in the community, 
and placing the subject in its proper aspect before 
the mind, it essentially enfeebled the spirit of seces- 
sion, and restrained many who had not already gone 
too far to retrace their steps. Dr., afterward Bishop 
Emory, reviewed Mr. M'Caine's History and Mys- 
tery of Methodist Episcopacy," and produced **The 
Defense of the Fathers," a work of singular strength 
of argument. 

THE METPIODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. 

The new system having been arranged and put in 
operation, and both sides of the controversy fully can- 



376 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



vassed, the subject lost its interest, and the agitation 
culminated in the organization of the Methodist Prot- 
estant Church in November, 1830, going back to first 
principles, and recognizing the individual rights of 
preachers and people, and proposing little personal 
sacrifice for the general good. It is thoroughly Wes- 
leyan in doctrine, seeks to maintain the itinerancy, 
though not rigidly, holds general and annual confer- 
ences, but eschews both bishops and presiding elders. 
The denomination has not prospered as was antici- 
pated, having been weakened by differences, seces- 
sions, and various attempts at amalgamation with 
other Methodist bodies. Like other democratic 
Churches, they lack energy in government — a head. 
Responsibility is too diffused to be effective. They 
have erred in relying too much on government, 
and too little on hard, earnest work. Some thou- 
sands left our Church and went with them at the first, 
seriously injuring us at many points, but still they 
did not rapidly multiply ; w^hile the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church increased more in members in 1829, 1830, 
and 183 1, than they have ever dared to claim, all 
told. Their minutes for 1874, show 423 traveling, 
and 250 local preachers, with 65,000 lay members. 
They publish a weekly paper at Baltimore, called 
The Methodist Protestant, with some other works to 
meet their necessities. But it must not be for- 
gotten that they suffered serious divisions, like other 
Churches, from slavery, many of their Southern 
members affiliating with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. Others have fallen in with us, espe- 
cially since we admitted lay delegates to the General 
Conference. 



THE REFORM MO YEMEN T. 



377 



How much the cause of God and Methodism 
have gained or lost by this movement we will not 
undertake to estimate. It is delightful to record, 
however, that the old animosity between the Protest- 
ants and the mother Church has largely subsided. 
The former have probably found out that all is not 
gold that glitters, and the latter has yielded a gov- 
ernmental point as we shall hereafter show, which 
will not be unlikely, in time, to bring both bodies 
into organic fellowship. 

NEW ARRANGEMENTS IN CANADA. 

We have already referred to a difficulty in relation 
to Canada, which was amicably settled with the 
Wesleyan connection by a division of territory. By 
that arrangement, Upper Canada fell under the juris- 
diction of the Methodist Episcopal Church. But 
the preachers being chiefly from the United States, 
the civil authorities were jealous of them, and denied 
them certain rights enjoyed by natives, and by those 
who were from England, particularly in reference to 
the rites of matrimony. The Canada Conference, 
therefore, applied to the General Conference to be 
released from their responsibilities to that body. 
After careful deliberation, the General Conference 
of 1828 passed a resolution saying that, in view of 
the considerations set forth in the memorial of the 
Canada brethren, *'the compact existing between the 
Canada Annual Conference and the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in the United States be, and hereby 
is, dissolved by mutual consent." Expecting that 
the Canada Conference would adopt their form of 
government, with such modifications as their partic- 

32 



378 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



ular relations should render necessar}^, the conference 
authorized the bishops to ordain such persons to 
superintend the new organization as said conference 
should elect. Besides, an effort was made to grant 
the Canada Conference its proper proportion of the 
Book Concern, which failed to obtain the necessary 
votes in the annual conferences. It was therefore 
agreed in 1836 to give them a larger discount on the 
books than was usually allowed to our preachers, 
and the Missionary Society was permitted to appro- 
priate the sum of seven hundred dollars annually 
for the support of the Indian Missions within their 
bounds. 

These measures, and all others relating to the 
subject, were adopted with the best of feelings, and 
with the purest motives. The Canada Conference, 
however, maintained its independence but a short 
period, and then, instead of adopting the Episcopal 
form of government, under which they were trained, 
became connected with the Wesleyans of England, 
which connection was peaceably maintained until 
1874, when the Wesleyans of the Eastern District, 
the conference of the Western, and the "New Con- 
nection Methodists" effected a consolidation of the 
three bodies into one, taking the name of ''The 
Methodist ChiircJi of Canada, numbering 1,004 itin- 
erant ministers, 1,027 local preachers, and 102,887 
members, toward which all minor Methodist associa- 
tions in that country seemed to be gravitating. They 
have provided for six annual conferences and a Gen- 
eral Conference, to be composed of clerical and 
lay delegates, to meet in September, 1878, and 
thereafter once in four years. They have no bishops 



THE REFORM MOVEMENT. 



179 



or presiding elders, but do their work by presi- 
dents, chairmen of districts, and committees, much 
after the style of the British Conference. They 
publish the Christian Guardian, at Toronto, and 
the Provincial Wesleyan, at Halifax, connected with 
which they carry on their other publishing business. 

Whether the General Conference had constitu- 
tional authority to relinquish its hold upon an annual 
conference as in the case described, or to exclude an 
annual conference from its fellowship, as was at one 
time contemplated, are questions which admit of 
reasonable doubt, but in the present case no serious 
complaint has been made. It is to be hoped that 
there will be no further occasion for its considera- 
tion. (See Bangs's History, Vol. Ill, pp. 392-395.) 

EVENTS FOLLOWING THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I 828. 

Leaving the General Conference of 1828 under a 
cloud of threatening circumstance, we pass along to 
notice the current events of the following four years. 
The Church embraced nineteen annual conferences, 
five bishops, including Bishop M'Kendree, who was 
very feeble and could do but little, 1,642 traveling 
preachers, and 421,156 members. The Missionary 
Society was disbursing about ;^6,ooo per annum, and 
the unfortunate educational interests of the Church 
were looking more hopeful, there being six or seven 
promising institutions in successful operation, two of 
which held college charters. The Book Concern was 
deeply in debt, owing to the ruinous practice of 
sending its books to preachers all over the country 
to sell on commission. So many depositories re- 
quired more capital than the concern possessed, and 



33o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



would have bankrupted it had the policy been long 
continued. It, therefore, could not cope with the 
American Bible, Sunday-school, and Tract Societies, 
which had undertaken to monopolize the patronage 
of all denominations. This state of affairs led the 
General Conference of 1828 to provide for the estab- 
lishment of 

A PUBLISHING FUND. 

Its design was to enable the Book Concern to 
furnish books and tracts at about the same rates they 
were offered by the American Societies. One hun- 
dred thousand dollars was the sum sought, the interest 
of which was to be applied in the manner named; but 
it never amounted to more than about forty thousand, 
but this helped a little ; and with the abolition of 
the commission business referred to, and the transfer 
of our patronage to the American Bible Society, both 
of which occurred soon after, brought essential relief 
And, had not the concern been loaded with so many 
outside Church expenses, it might long since have 
sold its books at a cheaper rate than any house in the 
country, as it did for one period, without a dollar 
from benvolent collections, 

DEATH OF BISHOP GEORGE. 

Bishop George was born in Staunton, Virginia, and 
brought up among Episcopalians. He was converted 
when eighteen years of age under the Methodist 
ministry, of which he afterward said, ''Then I felt 
grace in my heart, God in man, heaven upon earth. 
I was in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, and all 
around me, each shrub, each flower, each leaf, spoke 



THE REFORM MOVEMENT. 



381 



the praises of the Father who made them all." He 
began immediately to exercise in prayer and exhor- 
tation, and not long after to preach under the most 
solemn conviction that God had called him to the work. 
In 1790 he was received into the traveling connection 
on trial, and graduated to full membership in regular 
order, and was soon after appointed presiding elder. 
His health failing him he was located for a short 
time. In 1803, he re-entered the itinerancy, and 
served as presiding elder most of the time, till 18 16, 
when he was elected bishop. He was a man of fer- 
vent piety, a powerful preacher, full of faith and love, 
and died shouting "Glory to God." He was not so 
much of a president as preacher, and could run a 
camp-meeting better than a conference. But his 
fervor, and soul-power atoned for all deficiencies in 
minor respects, and carried him safely through. 
(See Methodist Magazine for 1830.) 

NEW SOURCES OF CONTROVERSY. 

The revival of our publishing interests, manifested 
by the re-issue of the magazine in 18 18, the publica- 
tion of the Christian Advocate in 1826, and several 
doctrinal and exegetical books, vindicatory of Ar- 
minian sentiments, created great alarm among Cal- 
vinists of different sects, who made an almost 
simultaneous assault upon us. Our Sabbath-school 
Union, formed in 1827, gave much offense, as it con- 
templated the supply of our schools with books more 
in harmony with our doctrines and methods, thus 
withdrawing our patronage from the American Sun- 
day-school Union. It was pronounced sectarian, and 
antagonistic to imioji, and it was so to any union that 



382 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



was offered to our Church by that society. Though 
Methodism was sHghtly recognized in its board of 
management, it was carefully kept in the background, 
and had no appreciable influence over its operations. 
Our opponents in this matter did not mistake the 
bearing of our separation from them. The next best 
thing to indoctrinating our children in their views 
was to furnish them books which ignored Methodism. 
The object of our Union was to teach religion doc- 
trinally and experimentally, as we understood it; and, 
demanding the necessary books for gratuitous distri- 
bution, it encouraged the agents of the Book Con- 
cern to go forward and produce them, which they 
have been doing ever since, furnishing an outfit for 
Sunday-schools which is not excelled by any house 
in the country. 

Few, if any, of our own Church have a just ap- 
preciation of the completeness of the supplies for 
Sunday-schools furnished by our agents. It embraces 
more than fifteen hundred bound books, made ex- 
pressly for libraries, besides catechisms, question- 
books, maps, cards, etc. 

Another circumstance which operated to augment 
the prejudice against us w^as, the organization of the 
Bible Society of the Methodist Church on the recom- 
mendation of the General Conference of 1828. But, 
why was this done ? Simply because we could not 
obtain free Bibles and Testaments for our poor 
schools, which were excluded under pretense of being 
sectarian. But when the Book Concern came to 
issue Bibles to supply our wants, it w^as found prac- 
ticable to give us an even chance in the American 
Bible Society; whereupon, in 1836, our Bible Society 



THE REFORM MO VEMENT. 



was dissolved, and we again affiliated with the Amer- 
ican Bible Society, and have done so ever since, 
only printing Bibles and Testaments with notes, 
references, etc., such as the Bible Society could not 
issue without giving offense to some of its patrons. 

Some of our books were assailed, as well as our 
measures. * ' Clarke's Commentaries, " and ' ' Wesley's 
Notes," came in for a large share of attention, and 
were severely charged. This gave Calvinism and 
Methodism another opportunity to compare notes, 
and did good, as it corrected many misrepresentations 
which prejudice had conceived and put in circulation. 
Some were sure that we were in league with foreign 
emissaries, and had immense funds somewhere which 
would avail us in case we failed to support ourselves. 
This explained to them our tenacity in holding on to 
places we entered, without any visible means of sup- 
port. The same anxious critics were considerably 
exercised about our Church property, and claimed 
that it was owned by the General Conference and the 
bishops. This led to the development of our excel- 
lent method of protecting it against the monopoly 
of factions, who might be disposed to pervert it to 
other purposes than were contemplated by the donors. 
The loss of one college and some one hundred and 
fifty churches by a single denomination, suggested to 
our enemies that, perhaps, after all, we were not as 
grasping or foolish as they had imagined, and they 
made haste to imitate our good example. 

The Methodist government, and other peculiari- 
ties, were also discussed with much of interest, but 
were so vindicated that they shone the brighter for 
the cloud that was cast upon them. Our assumed 



384 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



ignorance was a staple count in every bill of indebt- 
ment ; we had not been to college, and therefore 
could not preach, and had no right to attempt it; 
but the people did not ''see it," so we kept along. 
Besides, in testing the preachers of that day, the 
learned objectors found them better posted in the- 
ology, and stronger in argument, than they imagined. 
Even in the languages they were not always sure 
of victory, for, though few of the preachers had 
been through college, many of them could speak 
in other tongues, as we have noticed in the case of 
Jesse Lee. 

PROGRESS IN SEVERAL PARTICULARS. 

The year 1829 was a successful year among the 
Indians; many were soundly converted. It is inter- 
esting to trace the labors of the fathers in behalf of 
this unfortunate people. Had they been allowed to 
live Avhere they were, they Avould undoubtedly have 
been Christianized, and constituted citizens. But, 
being broken up and scattered every few years, how 
could they improve as has been required? The In- 
dians in Georgia were in the way of slaver}^; and in 
the West, in the way of the emigrants. Their lands 
were wanted by the whites, and the project of trans- 
ferring their owners beyond the Mississippi was 
devised. This was the commencement of persecu- 
tions, wars, and desolation. Our Church had no less 
than 17 missionaries and 850 Church members among 
the Cherokees in Georgia. It had also four thousand 
members among the Choctaws, embracing the chief 
men of the nation, and large numbers in other tribes; 
but the work was greatly disturbed by these forced 



THE REFORM MOVEMENT. 



385 



removals. The Minutes of 1832 show a decrease in 
our Indian membership of 2,089, owing to this 
cause. 

The mission to Galena, Illinois, was opened this 
year also, in a small, loose, speculating- population. 
What wonderful improvements have been made in 
forty-six years! At the same time, 1829, Edward 
T. Taylor, of world-wide fame, opened his mission to 
the seamen of Boston. It was a grand success for 
God and humanity, not so much in the accumulation 
of members as in the diffusion of Christian sentiment 
and feeling. New York had commenced operations 
in behalf of seamen a little before. 

The year following inaugurated special missions 
to the slaves. Till now they had been served by 
the regular circuit preachers, and nearly one-sixth of 
our Church (62,814) were colored people, mostly 
slaves; but there were many who could not be 
reached by this means, and missions were estab- 
lished in South Carolina and Georgia, which were 
afterward greatly extended. These, with missions 
to the Western-bound emigrants, gave work to every 
willing minister, and exhausted every dollar that 
could be raised. The net increase of members in 
1830 was 28,410, notwithstanding the loss of nearly 
ten thousand by the separation of Canada, and the 
radical and destructive measures of the Reformers 
so-called. 

Our educational interests prospered also, for a 
wonder, giving us three additional collegiate institu- 
tions about this time, namely: Wesleyan University, 
Middletown, Connecticut; Randolph Macon College, 
Virginia; and Lagrange College, Alabama. 

33 



386 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 832. 

This body elected two bishops, to-wit: Revs. 
James O. Andrew and John Emoiy. It adopted a 
strong report on temperance, quite ahead of the 
times, written by Rev. Henry B. Bascom. It also 
completed a modification of the proviso connected 
with the "Restrictive Rules" making a change of 
them practicable. (Bangs's History, Vol. IV, pp. 
102-106.) In other respects its action is of little 
interest to the general reader. 

EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED. 

This conference closed with six bishops and 
twenty-two annual conferences. Rev. Melville B. 
Cox having offered himself as a missionary to 
Africa, he was accepted, and arrived in Liberia, 
March 9, 1833, and soon laid the foundation of the 
Liberia Conference, Avhich has continued to the pres- 
ent time. On the 21st of July following, he died 
in the Lord, aged thirty-three years, feeling Avhat 
he earnestly expressed before he left New York, 
namely, *'Let thousands fall before Africa be given 
up!" A marble monument, the gift of affection, 
marks his resting-place in that far-off land. 

Such was the success of our missions among the 
slaves that others were established in the South-west 
in 1833, and gave a new impulse to the collections. 
Two other colleges — namely, at Carlisle and Mead- 
ville — were added to our literary institutions the 
same year. Both, having failed in other hands, 
were passed over to us gratuitously, and both still 
live and flourish. The former, known as Dickinson 



THE REFORM MOVEMENT. 



387 



College, was founded by the Presbyterians in 1783, 
and was estimated worth 1^40,000 at the time of 
its transfer. Dr. J. P. Durbin was elected its first 
president. It was further endowed by an addition 
of $45,000, and opened, in 1834, under flattering cir- 
cumstances. The latter, known as Alleghany College, 
also in Pennsylvania, three hundred and thirty-four 
miles north-west of Philadelphia, was first chartered 
in 18 1 5, but, failing of its object, was passed over 
to the Pittsburg and Erie Conferences, and placed 
under the presidency of Dr. Martin Ruter. It has 
had a struggle, in common with similar institutions, 
but it has triumphed. The academy at Lima, New 
York, entered upon its career of usefulness also 
about the same time, under the principalship of Dr. 
Samuel Luckey. 

These accessions to our educational appliances 
wxre regarded as grand achievements, and they w^ere 
so; but we are compelled to admit that the power 
of the ministry did not increase with its literary 
advantages. Dr. Bangs, speaking of one highly 
educated preacher. Rev. John M. Smith, who was 
in his opinion almost a perfect model, says: ''Many 
who wxre far inferior to him in learning and science, 
who understood no other language than their mother- 
tongue, and who went out into the field of itiner- 
ancy from the common vocations of life, far out- 
shone him as preachers of the Gospel, and much 
exceeded him in winning souls to Christ." 

This is not an isolated case. Similar facts are 
found every-where, and they have not contributed to 
the zeal of the Church for education. God means 
to keep us impressed, perhaps, that education can 



388 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



not make a successful preacher, that one called of 
the Holy Spirit may achieve wonders without educa- 
tion, and that both classes are needed to make a 
complete working force. It is difficult to educate a 
man so as not to neutralize his natural and spiritual 
genius and force. If we will avoid the mistakes 
of our predecessors, we must give education to 
our ministers without subtracting from their spiritual 
efficiency. 

This year was one of general revival, yielding a 
total increase of 51,143 members, 4,476 of Avhom 
were colored, proving that our missions to the slaves 
were a success; but we suffered a further loss of 165 
Indians, growing out of their forcible removal from 
their homes. 

Near the close of this year, Rev. Messrs. Rufus 
Spaulding and Samuel O. Wright, with their wives, 
embarked for Liberia, to fill the place made vacant 
by the death of Mr. Cox. They arrived there Janu- 
ary I, 1834, and commenced their work. February 
9th, Mr. Spaulding was seized with the fever of the 
country, as were all his associates soon after. March 
1st, he wrote, "Sister Wright is dead." Her hus- 
band soon followed her. Finding themselves hope- 
lessly enfeebled, Mr. Spaulding andTiis wife returned 
home, leaving behind them the heroic Miss Farring- 
ton, one of the family, who suffered much, but lived 
to do good service. 

THE FLAT-HEAD INDIAN MISSION. 

The year 1834 was distinguished by the establish- 
ment of a mission to the Flat-head Indians, in Or- 
egon. They had incidentally heard that there was 



THE REFORM MO VEMENT. 



389 



a people living toward the "rising sun," who pos- 
sessed superior knowledge of the Great Spirit, by 
means of a book which he had given them. They 
accordingly called a council, and appointed a delega- 
tion of four of their leading men to cross the Rocky 
Mountains, and inquire into the matter. These rep- 
resentatives arrived at St. Louis, and commanded 
much attention. Our Church was prompt to regard 
this movement as a call from God to undertake the 
evangelization of the people who had come three 
thousand miles for light. Revs. Jason and Daniel 
Lee, uncle and nephew, and both preachers, with 
Cyrus Shepherd, as teacher, offered themselves for 
the work, and, after much suffering, reached their 
destined field. They were afterward re-enforced from 
time to time, and the work has gone on ever since, 
opening up the country, and laying the foundations 
of a wealthy State. The poor Indians were greatly 
benefited, but not to the extent anticipated, owing to 
their migratory habits. The Avork has been organ- 
ized into an annual conference for several years, 
which now numbers 61 traveling preachers, 3,725 
members, and 4,471 Sabbath-school scholars. The 
conference publishes the Pacific Christian Advocate, 
sustains the Willamette University and the Portland 
Academy. 

This mission created much interest at the time, 
and elicited liberal contribution to the missionary so- 
ciety, swelling the aggregate amount from 17, 097. 05 
in 1833, to ;^35,700. 15 the year following. 

This year, too, gave birth to another college at 
Lebanon, Illinois, known as the M'Kendree College, 
which has done a good work, and is in healthy 



390 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

progress. It also opened new missions. Worcester, 
Massachusetts, which had hitherto successfully re- 
sisted all attempts to establish Methodism within its 
hallowed precincts, was this year favored with a mis- 
sionary appropriation of, perhaps, ^200, and the 
venerable George Pickering was appointed to that most 
thoroughly Calvinistic town. The next year he 
reported one hundred and nine members. Three years 
after, the society became self-sustaining, and has 
grown into five good Churches, numbering 1,252 
members, to say nothing of many other Churches 
that have sprung up in contiguous places, through 
its influence. The missionary collections from that 
place have been large for many years, showing that 
missionary money appropriated to domestic purposes 
is sometimes more than a good investment. 

THE DEPARTURE OF TWO BISHOPS. 

The year 1835 was saddened by the death of two 
bishops — Bishop M'Kendree, the senior, and Bishop 
Emory, the junior, of the board. The former had 
been feeble for years, doing, however, all he could 
for God and the Church. In the days of his strength 
he traversed the continent on horseback; but now 
for years he had visited the conferences, and preached 
within a more limited circle. He was present at the 
General Conference of 1832, and, as he arose to leave 
it, the day before it adjourned, "he halted," says 
Dr. Bangs, ''for a moment, leaning upon his staff, 
and, with faltering lips, but Avith eyes swimming in 
tears, he said : ' My brethren and children, love one 
another. Let all things be done without strife or 
vain-glory, and strive to keep the unity of the Spirit 



THE REFORM MO VEMENT. 



in the bonds of peace.' He then spreati forth his 
trembUng hands, and, Hfting- his eyes to the heavens, 
pronounced with faltering and affectionate accents the 
apostoHc benediction." 

Bishop M'Kendree was a good man; a wise coun- 
selor; a mighty preacher, especially at times; a thor- 
ough Methodist, and sincerely in earnest in saving 
souls. Appearing in the General Conference at Bal- 
timore in 1808, he entered the Light Street pulpit in 
the rough garb of a frontiersman, and, after working 
up to his subject in rather an uninteresting way, he 
struck a current, and carried all before him. "At 
first, sudden shrieks, as of persons in distress, were 
heard in different parts of the house ; then shouts of 
praise; and in every direction sobs and groans, and 
eyes overflowing with tears, while many were pros- 
trated upon the floor, or lay helpless on the seats. 

When he descended from the pulpit, all 
were filled with admiration of his talents," and many 
exclaimed, " This is the man zvhoin God delights to 
Jionor!'' He was soon after elected bishop, receiving 
niitety-five out of one hundred and twenty-eight votes, 
and, fortunately, it was not a mistake. He preached 
his last sermon at Nashville, Tennessee, November 
23, 1834, and from that hour he descended gradually 
and peacefully to the grave, breathing his last March 
5, 1835, repeating, ''All is well for time or for 
eternity." 

Bishop Emory, who also died this year, was born 
in Maryland in 1788; obtained the witness of his 
acceptance with God at the age of seventeen; aban- 
doned the legal profession, for which he had been 
classically educated, and in the year 18 10 he entered 



392 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the traveling ministry in the Philadelphia Conference. 
He was a member of the General Conference in 1816 
and thenceforward. In 1820 he was appointed to 
represent his Church in the British Conference; four 
years after, assistant book agent; and in 1828 he was 
made principal agent in charge of that growing in- 
terest. He filled all these positions with marked 
ability. In 1832 he was elected bis^liop, in which 
office he displayed the same effectiveness that had 
characterized his course from the beginning till 
1835, when he was found dying in the highway, 
having been thrown from his carriage in going to 
Baltimore. 

Dr. Stevens's description of him seems to be so 
just that we heartily indorse it. He says: ''In per- 
son he was below the ordinary size ; slight, not weigh- 
ing over one hundred and twenty-five pounds, but 
well proportioned and erect. His features Avere ex- 
pressive of tranquil thoughtfulness, firmness, and 
kindliness. He was long a sufferer from gastric ail- 
ments, but was a persevering worker, a thorough 
student, an early riser, and rigorously systematic. 
Down to his day the Church had not possessed a 
more scholarly, a better trained, intellect. He was 
pre-eminent as a debater in conferences, especially in 
the General Conference, and his legal skill solved for 
it some of its most difficult legislative problems. 
Withal, he was remarkably versatile, and successful 
in all that he attempted. His writings in defense of 
his denomination, both in its theolog}^ and polity, 
were always authoritative and conclusive. His piety 
was profound, steady, yet fervent. He saw in his 
own Church the mightiest system of agencies for the 



THE REFORM MOVEMENT. 



393 



evangelization, not only of the New World, but of the 
Avhole world, that Christendom afforded, and he con- 
secrated himself entirely to the development and 
application of its forces." (His. of M. E. Church, 
Vol. IV, p. 250.) 



394 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 836 IMPORTANT ACTION 

OF SLAVERY AND ABOLITION' — NEW MISSIONARY FIELDS 
OPENED CENTENARY OF METHODISM THE ALL-ABSORB- 
ING QUESTION IMPORTANT MEASURES ADOPTED, ETC. 

THE General Conference of 1836 was held at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Bishops Roberts, Soule, Hed- 
ding, and Andrew presiding. Rev. William Lord, 
representative from the British Conference, was intro- 
duced and cordially received. The conference made 
a suitable response to his address, and appointed 
Rev. Dr. Fisk, then in Europe, our representative 
to the Wesleyan Conference. Commemorative serv- 
ices were held in honor of the deceased Bishops 
M'Kendree and Emory, Bishop Soule preaching in 
relation to the former and Bishop Roberts represent- 
ing the latter. These were mournful occasions, all 
feeling that a great loss had been sustained. 

IMPORTANT MEASURES ADOPTED. 

The correspondence of the Missionary Society had 
been hitherto conducted by one of the book agents. 
This conference wisely determined to transfer the su- 
pervision of the missionary work to a separate officer, 
and accordingly appointed Dr. Nathan Bangs corre- 
sponding secretary. This was the commencement of 
our present order of missionary management. 



ANTISLA VER V A GIT A TION. 



395 



Another important measure was the construction 
of the Liberia mission into an annual conference, 
possessing all the rights, powers, and privileges of 
other annual conferences, except that of sending del- 
egates to the General Conference and drawing its 
annual dividend from the avails of the book concern 
and Chartered Fund. This exception was overruled 
(whether rightfully or not time will show) by the 
General Conference of 1868, and delegates were 
admitted. This conference, too, though oppressed 
with the recent destruction of the book concern 
by fire, recognized a weekly paper, the Western 
CJmstian Advocate, lately started at Cincinnati, and 
ordered the publication of two other similar papers, 
one at Charleston, South Carolina, and the' other at 
Nashville, Tennessee, making four official papers and 
four unofficial, namely: Zion s Herald, Maine Wes- 
leyan Journal, Virginia Conference Journal, at Rich- 
mond, Virginia, and the AubiLrn Banner, at Auburn, 
New York. Besides, it elected three bishops, to-wit: 
Beverly Waugh, Wilbur Fisk, and Thomas A. Mor- 
ris. The first and the last-named were duly conse- 
crated ; but Dr. Fisk declined the office on his return 
from Europe, and was called to his reward before the 
next General Conference. He was a model man and 
minister, well educated, genial, but intensely devout, 
a natural, ready speaker, an effective reasoner, and a 
powerful preacher in the best sense of the word. 
Being one of the first regular graduates in our min- 
istry, he exercised a commanding influence. Doing 
good service a few years as pastor, he was made 
presiding elder, from which he was elected the first 
principal of the Wilbraham Academy. To this work 



39^ 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



he devoted all his energies until 1831, when he was 
elected the first president of the Wesleyan Univer- 
sity, at Middletown, Connecticut, where he ended his 
labors and his life in the forty-eigJith year of his age. 

Dr. Stevens justly characterizes him as "a man 
of intrinsic greatness, of the highest style of Chris- 
tian character, of rare pulpit eloquence, full of grace, 
dignity, and power. . . . He led up the whole 
Methodism of the East in educational enterprise, 
ministerial culture, and public influence, while his 
saintly life presented a model Christian character 
which impressed his entire denomination." 

OF THE LOCATION OF PREACHERS. 

The difficulty of the itinerant work, and the small 
and uncertain remuneration it generally received, had 
led to numerous locations; but now, it seems, some 
were desired to locate for one reason or another who 
were indisposed to do so, and the authority of the 
conference to locate them without their consent was 
questioned. This General Conference therefore made 
a rule authorizing an annual conference to locate a 
member without his consent, and even in his absence, 
but provided for giving him a hearing in every case; 
but the provision for a hearing was rescinded in 1848, 
without attracting much attention. The rule was evi- 
dently aimed at certain ministers who were giving 
more attention to abolition than was thought expe- 
dient, but who could not be excluded on moral 
grounds. 

OF SLAVERY AND ABOLITION. 

The great questions of this session, however, were 
slavery and abolition. New England had begun to 



ANTISLA VER Y A GIT A TION. 



Z97 



consider the extirpation of slavery in a very serious 
manner, and there was much alarm among many lest 
it should lead to sad results. The South was in- 
tensely excited, and had been threatening separation 
for several years. But, as this subject is to have 
special consideration in another chapter, we will pass 
it for the present, except so far as to say that the 
rule made at this conference and strengthened in 
1840 (see Bangs's History, Vol. IV, p. 414), for the 
arrest of superannuated preachers living without the 
bounds of their own conferences, was made to catch 
certain abolitionists, particularly Rev. La Roy Sunder- 
land, who belonged to the New England Conference 
and lived in the city of New York ; but it was a little 
too late to reach him. (See Discipline, par. 322.) 
But it has done no harm that we are aware of, and 
may not do any except under strong party adminis- 
tration. And we may add that this conference also 
passed a string of resolutions in relation to agencies, 
with particular reference to the same class of men. 
(See Bangs's History, Vol. IV, pp. 265, 266.) Dr. 
Bangs, who understood their history and objects bet- 
ter than any other man, seems to have thought that 
they did much good, and perhaps they did; but abo- 
lition rolled on, notwithstanding, until it prevailed. 

A REMARKABLE DECLINE. 

The Church had enjoyed great peace and pros- 
perity for several years; but all at once there was a 
falling off — ^"an actual decrease in members — which 
taxed the philosophy of wise men to explain. Some 
attributed it to the abolition excitement, others to 
the want of church accommodations, while many 



398 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



thought it the natural result of previous excesses; 
but about one-third of the loss was among the 
Indians, who were in the process of removal, and 
one-quarter among the colored people, who were 
probably being more restricted in their privileges by 
the antislavery agitations, which rapidly increased 
about that time. But, whatever the cause, the de- 
pression was soon over, and the tide of prosperity 
in the Church commenced to flow again with unex- 
ampled results. 

The year of 1836 gave existence to our mission 
at Rio de Janeiro, by Rev. Justin Spaulding. The 
next year, the mission was strengthened by the 
appointment of Rev. D. P. Kidder and two teach- 
ers. The same year, Rev. John Dempster opened a 
mission at Buenos Ayres. These missions have not 
accomplished all that was anticipated. 

Texas embraced 193,000 square miles, and formed 
a part of the Mexican Republic, but was proclaimed 
independent March 2, 1836, and its independence was 
recognized by the United States early in the follow- 
ing year. Many Americans, generally slave-holders, 
had settled there, and some were anxious for the Gos- 
pel. Accordingly in 1837, Dr. Ruter, with two young 
preachers, was sent out, and made a successful begin- 
ning in the work of evangelizing that Romish com- 
munity. Others followed, as the necessities of the 
work required, and in 1840 the mission was consti- 
tuted an annual conference. The following year it 
reported nineteen traveling preachers, and 1,853 
members. In 1845, Texas was admitted to the 
Union as a State, another triumph of the slave 
power, embracing forty traveling preachers, and 



ANT IS LA VER V A GIT A TION. 



399 



4,970 members. (See Wilson's Rise and Fall of the 
Slave Power, Vol. I., pp. 590-650.) 

Dr. Ruter projected a college, which the govern- 
ment appropriated 8,880 acres of land. The college 
was duly established in a new town called Ruterville, 
in honor of its enterprising projector, though he did 
not live to see it in operation. Our Texas Confer- 
ence now numbers 15,014 members. 

Dr. Ruter commenced his intinerant career in New 
England in 1801, at the age of sixteen; went as mis- 
sionary to Canada in 1804; was eight years Book 
agent at Cincinnati ; was four years President of Au- 
gusta College; three years President of Alleghany Col- 
eg3, which position he resigned for a mission in Texas, 
where he ended his life and labors. Born in humble 
circumstances, without much early education, he as- 
tonished both himself and his friends by his literary 
and scientific attainments. His acquaintance with 
Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and French was respectable, 
and was turned to the best account. He was a 
good-looking, healthy, common-sense man, of untir- 
ing industry and indominitable perseverance, and 
achieved much for God and the Church, more than 
most men of greater opportunities. He lived and 
died in the confidence of his brethren, and no doubt 
is reaping the reward of a ''faithful servant." 

ORIGIN OF MISSIONS TO THE GERMANS. 

The influx of Germans to the country could not 
fail to attract attention, particularly as one of the 
number, a modest but thoroughly educated youth, 
was mysteriously converted to God. Beginning at 
once to declare to his countrymen what the Lord 



400 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



had done for his soul, a mission was established at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1836, and young Nast was ap- 
pointed to take charge of it. Being an able man 
and full of zeal, he drew many to hear him, and to 
Christ. Afterward he visited his native land and 
laid the foundations of our missions in that country, 
numbering at present nearly 9,000 members, embrac- 
ing schools, a publishing house, and other necessary 
appliances. The German missions have been the 
means of converting many Papists, and their watch- 
word is onward ! 

The year 1838 was one of prosperity, though we 
suffered a decrease in our colored members of 2,996 
and 538 Indians, the former loss growing out of the 
antislavery discussion perhaps, and the latter prob- 
ably the result of the removals before mentioned. 

The year 1839 ^^^^ made interesting by the return 
of Jason Lee to the States to obtain re-enforcements 
for Oregon. There being no means of living in that 
country the missionaries had to provide for them- 
selves, and it was necessary, therefore, to carry out 
farmers, mechanics, etc., to do the work, that the 
missionaries might give themselves wholly to relig- 
ious duties. Accordingly, a company of fifty per- 
sons was made up, including six missionaries, and all 
sailed from New York October 9th, and arrived in 
safety, after a voyage of about ten month. In the 
mean time, a remarkable work of grace broke out 
among the Indians of that country, resulting, it was 
believed, in the conversion of one full thousand of 
them. This was very encouraging, and gave a new 
impulse to the missionary enterprise, swelling the 
collections from $g6,o%'] to 13 2, 480 in a single year. 



ANTISLA VER V A GIT A TION. 



THE CENTENARY OF METHODISM. 

The principal event of 1839 ^'^'^s Centenary 
of Methodism. Though it was but seventy-three 
years since the first Methodist meeting was holden 
on this continent, its centennial in London seemed to 
be too important an event to the Church on this side 
of the water to be passed over in silence. But it 
was impossible to bring our people to the same con- 
cert of feeling and action that was displayed among 
the Wesleyans, scattered as they were over so vast a 
territory, and pressed with so many different objects, 
often requiring more than they Avere able to perform. 
But a general plan of religious exercise and benevo- 
lence was adopted, and carried out with as much 
uniformity as was to be expected. The services 
were salutary in their influence. They contributed 
to a better understanding of the history, principles, 
unity, aims, and successes of Methodists, and gave 
a new impulse to the general body. The amount 
contributed for different objects was estimated at 
;^6oo,ooo; but it is exceedingly doubtful Avhether so 
much was realized by the various treasuries for which 
it was contributed. Much of it was applied to local 
objects, that is, for Church debts, building churches, 
etc. Considerable to the superannuated preachers, 
education, and to missions. But it all told on our 
growing cause. 

It was, indeed, a sublime spectacle to contemplate 
the assemblage of more than one inillion of people, 
joined by, perhaps, three times that number of 
friends, uniting to offer up thanksgiving to God for 
his boundless mercy to a lost world, manifested in 

34 



402 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the gift of his Son ! And as one of many rivulets, 
which flow from that exhaustless fountain of eternal 
love, ran through the channel opened by Wesley, it 
seemed right and proper for his numerous sons in 
the Gospel to commemorate the day which originated 
this flowing stream of grace and mercy. Some, in- 
deed, affected to call it a species of idolatry. But 
why is it any more an act of idolatry to praise God 
for raising up John Wesley, than it is to praise him 
for any other blessing, whether temporal or spiritual? 
It is, indeed, marvelous that many, whose tender 
conscience will not permit them to render honor to 
whom honor is due, do not scruple to defame the 
character of those men who, like John Wesley, have 
rendered the most service to mankind, merely be- 
cause they have dissented from them in opinion on 
some important points. (Bangs's History, Vol. IV, 
page 296.) 

The Methodist Episcopal Church numbered at 
this time 749,216 members; 3,557 traveling preach- 
ers; and 5,856 local preachers. 

THE ALL-ABSORBING QUESTION. 

Every period has its predominant topic of inter- 
est. That which attracted most attention in the 
Church and nation from 1836 to 1840, and indeed 
long after, was slavery. Some attempted to justify 
it from the Bible, others denounced it as *'the sum 
of all villainies," while many regarded it as an evil, 
and opposed abolition, lest, in removing the tares, 
it should root up the wheat also. Abolitionists, 
like their colored brethren, did not seem to have 
any rights which their opponents were bound to 



ANT IS LA VER V A GIT A TION. 



respect The subject permeated every class of so- 
ciety, and gave shape to almost every expression. 
Bishops and many others trembled for the ark of 
Methodism, and made haste to protect it by radical 
measures, which though ineffective, created a distrust 
of the Episcopal power, since developed in the adop- 
tion of lay delegation, and the projection of other 
modifications of our government that will sooner or 
later claim attention. But we must not particularize 
here. Considering the terrible excitements which 
generally prevailed, the Church w^as wonderfully sus- 
tained. As before stated, we suffered a small loss in 
1836, but our net gain during the following eight 
years was 822,282 members. God seems to have 
honored the attempt to ''unloose the heavy burdens" 
with a special baptism of the Spirit. 

A PASSING REFLECTION. 

In looking back to those days, and remembering 
the giants who ruled over the unpitied minority, we 
are surprised to see that they are nearly all gone. 
One only of the ten delegates from the New York 
Conference remains, and the same is true of other 
conferences. They all played their part for a few 
brief years, and then stepped aside to give place to 
their successors. Though powerful in their way and 
time, they now live only in history. As years or 
misfortunes increased, they descended from their 
proud eminence, finding it harder to retreat than to 
advance, to lay off the harness than to put it on. 
But this is destiny, and it is well for the young to 
think of it, and prepare themselves to deserue respect 
when they can no longer command it. 



404 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



We were impressed with these thoughts in consid- 
ering the history of one beautiful man, distinguished 
more for his pulpit eloquence and pastoral fidelity 
than for his management or forensic power. He was 
in great demand in the Middle States for many years. 
Yet the time came before he was sixty years of age 
that he was not wanted, and it broke his heart. This 
would not have been so, had his old admirers lived 
and retained their position. But dying, or standing 
aside to give place to new-comers, their old love 
could not benefit him, and their successors only knew 
him as an old preacher, while they coveted one more 
youthful and sprightly. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 184O 

convened in the city of Baltimore, and was treated to 
a very long and elaborate address from the bishops, 
evidenly written by Bishop Soule, and more than one 
third of it was devoted to abolitionists, expressing 
sentiments which naturally led its author to affiliate 
with the South in repudiating the old antislavery 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in uniting with that 
of the Church South. 

This conference was honored with the presence of 
the celebrated Rev. Robert Newton, as the represen- 
tative of English Methodism, who was cordially re- 
ceived, as was the letter which he bore, except so far 
as it referred to the vexed question. To this point the 
Conference made a respectful reply, attempting to 
justify its position in the usual way of the times, 
throwing the responsibility on the State governments, 
etc. The missionary society was reported as being 
in a flourishing condition, having appropriated 



AN TISLA VER Y A GIT A TIO /V. 405 

;^41 1,810.96 during the four preceding- years, and 
more than doubled the collections of 1839 1840.- 

This conference was also entertained with more 
than the usual number and variety of petitions and 
memorials, particularly on the subject of the day. A 
very considerable number of them asked for ''a mod- 
erate episcopacy," — implicating the episcopal adminis- 
tration since 1836, which we shall notice hereafter — 
the election of presiding elders by their conferences, 
who had in many cases represented the bishops, and 
not their real constituents, and lay delegation. These 
petitions came generally from abolitionists, but effect- 
ed nothing, as was probably expected. Yet some of 
these same delegates who opposed the prayer of the 
petitioners, afterward struck for lay delegation, and 
carried it. That their successors may some time grant 
the other particulars in the prayer is by no means 
impossible. Great men have been known to change 
their opinions, and favor what they once opposed, 
and they might have been right in both cases. With 
regard to prudential matters, what may be inexpedi- 
ent to-day may be very appropriate hereafter. 

We have seen with what difficulties our Church 
made its first real success in education. But our lit- 
erary institutions had now come to multiply so rap- 
idly that the General Conference of 1840 deemed it 
necessary to suggest caution, and advised the perma- 
nent settlement of existing ones before proceeding to 
originate others. It fully indorsed the administration 
of the bishops, and avowed the right of bishops and 
presiding elders to refuse to put a motion to vote 
which they should consider foreign to the proper 
business, or inconsistent with constitutional provisions, 



4o6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and also, their right to adjourn a conference without 
a vote. " Temperance, too, received special attention; 
but the substitution of Mr. Wesley's rule in the place 
of the one then in force failed, by a ridiculous miscon- 
struction of the proviso, connected with the restrictive 
rules, making a three-fourths vote of each and every 
annual conference necessary to a change, instead of 
three-fourths of the whole who should be present 
and vote. Ridiculous, Ave say, because this proviso 
was rearranged, as elsewhere shown, to avoid this 
very construction, to which it was fairly liable in its 
former wording. 

OF RECEIVING PREACHERS, ETC. 

There had long existed a feeling among us that 
some provision should be made for receiving minis- 
ters and members from other denominations without 
subjecting them to the usual probation, etc., required 
of others ; but nothing had been effected. This con- 
ference met the demand in a wise and fraternal man- 
ner, setting an example to conceited sectaries that 
they may profitably consider. Under this arrange- 
ment we recognize the orders and standing of 
Christian ministers and members of every denomina- 
tion, and admit them to our fellowship without 
re-baptism or re-ordination. Fortunately the rule did 
not require a letter of recommendation. That would 
often have rendered it ineffective, since many Churches 
would give no such letter. It merely provided for 
receiving members "in good standing" in other 
Churches, without stating what evidence of that fact 
should be required. Hence, where we knew such 
applicants could not obtain letters, owing to the 



ANTISLA VER V A GIT A TIOiY. 407 

prejudice of their Churches, we took them without, 
advising them first to send their pastors letters of 
withdrawaL This was a very convenient arrange- 
ment, though we have had no great use for it, 
beheving it to be more becoming to swell our num- 
bers by converting sinners to God than by pros- 
elyting saints of other denominations. (See Disci- 
pline, par. 49, 209, 213.) 

OTHER MEASURES ADOPTED. 

This conference resolved to have three missionary 
secretaries instead of one, and elected Nathan Bangs 
for the East, William Capers for the South, and Ed- 
ward R. Ames for the West; but this arrangement 
did not seem to give satisfaction, though it consid- 
erably increased the collections, and was abolished 
after four years' trial, and the work was devolved 
upon one secretary. Rev. Charles Pitman, a man of 
great popularity with his people. 

Bishop Soule was appointed to represent the 
Church in the British Conference in 1842, with 
Rev. Thomas B. Sargent as traveling companion. 
Bishop Hedding received a similar appointment to 
the Canada Conference. The pastoral address was 
fragrant with congratulation, seeing little to regret, 
and much to expect in the way of progress. Bishop 
Soule closed the conference with a few remarks, re- 
joicing in the excellent spirit that had been mani- 
fested, and the prospect of peace and unity, little 
thinking that in five brief years from that day, he 
himself, the most loyal among loyalists, would no 
longer be a member even of the Church he had so 
much loved. 



408 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

But, after all, the conference did not satisfy the 
extremists of either party. The middle men were 
better pleased, because they had passed another cri- 
sis without a general ''break-up." They believed 
the South would stand it, and hoped the abolition- 
ists would, and devoutly prayed that something 
might occur to prevent the threatened division. 



GREAT REVIVALS. 



409 



CHAPTER IX. 



GREAT REVIVALS — CONFERENCE RIGHTS — GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE OF 1844 — POWERS OF BISHOPS — RESTRICTIONS ON 
THE ITINERANCY — CONFLICT WITH PROVIDENCE. 



ROM the year 1840 to the year 1844, a general 



A revival of religion prevailed throughout the 
country. This fact was recognized by the bishops 
in their address to the General Conference in 1844, 
wherein they declared that **No period of our de- 
nominational existence has been more signally dis- 
tinguished by great and extensive revivals of the 
work of God, and the increase of the Church." The 
work was attributed to various causes. The real ex- 
citing cause was, doubtless, the outpouring of the 
Spirit of God upon the public heart, directing atten- 
tion to the subject. While we believe that the Spirit 
operates more or less at all times, and upon all minds, 
and that all good thoughts, purposes, and emotions 
are attributable to its influence, we can not doubt 
that it is occasionally shed forth in peculiar copious- 
ness and power, arousing Christians to an unusual 
degree of spiritual interest, and begetting tenderness 
on the minds of others. This seems to have been 
the case at the time referred to ; one evidence of 
which was, that numerous little prayer-meetings 
were instituted, to pray especially for a revival of re- 
ligion and the conversion of sinners. There was a 




35 



410 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



prett)' general conviction among evangelical Christians 
that it was time for God to work, and they were so 
anxious to see a revival they exerted themselves 
with a degree of earnestness, appropriateness, and 
energy, scarcely ever witnessed among some of them 
since the days of Whitefield. 

While, therefore, we attribute the work to God, 
as its efficient author, we recognize peculiar Chris- 
tian exertion as its means. If it originated in a 
remarkable outpouring of the Spirit, it was encour- 
aged and carried forward instrumentally by a remark- 
able effort. Measures which had been repudiated as 
repugnant to the true philosophy of revivals, were 
now introduced and pushed with much fervor. The 
laity were called into action, foreign aid was invoked, 
evangelists were flying from field to field, and the 
work of saving souls was made the all-absorbing 
subject. 

Another circumstance probably had considerable 
effect. We refer to the emphatic inculcation of the 
doctrine of Christ's second coming, and the transac- 
tions which are to follow — sentiments known as Mil- 
lerism. Various ministers of different denominations 
heralded these truths all over the land with great 
pathos and power. The errors with which they were 
associated did not lessen their influence, but rather 
rendered them more impressive. Taken together, 
the presentation was an alarming affair. Some of 
the sermons delivered on different occasions were 
frightful to "the very elect,'' and it would not have 
been wonderful if many had plunged into hopeless 
despair, for the argument was so nicely drawn that 
few could see its fallacy ; the honesty and devotion 



GREAT REVIVALS. 



411 



of many of the speakers so manifest, they could not 
well be questioned; and the sentiments inculcated so 
exciting in their tendency, that none but very good 
or very bad people could hear them proclaimed 
without trembling for their own safety. Hence, 
while few believed the doctrine that Christ would 
come in 1843, many feared it; and having full confi- 
dence in the divine reality and importance of religion, 
they were impelled to seek it then; whereas, under 
other circumstances, they might have remained im- 
penitent. But still, they were really converted. 
Though it was a mistake which stimulated them to 
action, the process they pursued was right, and the 
result pure. The mistake had no other influence in 
this regard than to prompt them to seek religion 
then; which done, they found peace in believing. 
But it afterward became identified with so many 
other heresies, it poisoned many who came under its 
influence, and interposed one of the greatest obstacles 
to the progress of religion that has ever been con- 
trived. This we believe to be a just view of the sub- 
ject in general. There were, doubtless, instances in 
which religion and Millerism were so combined, that, 
when the error of the latter was demonstrated, all 
confidence in the former was abandoned. 

Under all these circumstances, it is not improbable 
that some improper measures were employed, or that 
others were carried to extremes, and operated to 
produce more chaff than wheat. But, notwithstand- 
ing, there was much wheat gathered. It is true 
many fell away, but not a larger proportion, we think, 
than is usual. When it is said that the Methodist 
Episcopal Church suffered a net decrease of more 



412 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



than fifty tlioiisand members between the years 1844 
and 1847, should be remembered that in 1843 h^i" 
net increase was 154,634; and the year following, 
102,831, making a net increase m two years of 257,465 
members, thus exceeding all precedent by tens of 
thousands. The ordinary ratio of apostasies, there- 
fore, accounts for an appalling decrease, without dis- 
paraging the character of the work in the least. 

But other items come into this account that are 
important to the calculation. During this time there 
was a vigorous effort made by come-outers of differ- 
ent classes to break down the Churches, and scatter 
them to the four winds. While the revival was in 
progress, their influence was partly counteracted; 
but as the excitement abated, they became more 
successful. This, taken in connection with the fact 
that there was scarcely a revival in the country, and 
that thousands of Church members die annually, goes 
far to explain the decrease conceded, and leaves 
little to charge to the mismanagement of the revival 
under consideration ; and especially if it be remem- 
bered that many of the converts were treated by cer- 
tain ministers and laymen more as dupes or hypo- 
crites than as the lambs of Christ's flock. 

But some, we are aware, took other views of the 
subject, and, we fear, so far fell out with God's 
method of converting sinners that they did but little 
good. It is certain they never made many genuine 
converts by preaching against excitement and ridicul- 
ing revival measures. Some ran so low, their 
Churches became so sleepy and cold, and their con- 
gregations so thin, they were about willing to let the 
Lord work in any way, and by whomsoever he would. 



GREAT REVIVALS. 



" While revivals were operating to sustain and 
consolidate the Church, the questions of slavery and 
aboHtion were agitating it, and threatening its very 
existence. Growing out of this agitation was another 
question of little less interest or danger; we refer to 
what was known as the question 

OF CONFERENCE RIGHTS. 

Prior to this time bishops had been regarded as 
chairmen in annual conferences, not merely to attend to 
the few items of business specified in the Discipline, 
but any other business connected therewith. It had 
been customary from the beginning for annual con- 
ferences to give expression to their sentiments on all 
moral questions without episcopal let or hinderance. 
But in bringing forward resolutions against slavery, 
an evil denounced by the Church from the beginning, 
the bishops refused to entertain them, on the ground 
that they were not legitimate conference business." 
Certain presiding elders took the same position in 
their quarterly conferences. Rev. Daniel Dorchester, 
of the New England Conference, did so, and even 
adjourned a conference at Westfield without a vote, 
and against the remonstrances of the members. The 
next annual conference tried and convicted him of 
maladministration. From this decision he appealed 
to the General Conference of 1840, which reversed 
the decision, virtually justifying his course. It also 
approved of the administration of the bishops, for- 
bidding antislavery action, thus leaving the annual 
conferences without the right of acting on any subject 
whatever outside of the twenty-three questions pro- 
posed in the Disciphne. (See % 105.) This was 



414 



HIST OR Y OF METHODISM. 



true, also, of the quarterly conferences ; they were 
restricted to the business prescribed for them. And, 
worse still, presiding elders were authorized to close 
any session at their discretion without a vote of the 
body ; and the bishop to adjourn an annual confer- 
ence after one week. 

Abolitionists contended earnestly against these 
assumptions of episcopal authority, and conquered, 
practically, so that they were allowed to oppose 
slavery by conference action; and, in 1872, the rule 
authorizing bishops and presiding elders to adjourn 
conferences was ordered to be stricken out of the 
book, though they may still refuse to put a motion 
on any subject which, in their opinion, does not relate 
to the proper business of the conference. 

Whether this is the right ground for the Church 
to occupy is worthy of consideration. If bishops 
are a higher order of ministers, appointed by God 
himself to govern other ministers and the people, as 
claimed by Romanists, then the conferences ought to 
obey them in all things. But if they are not higher 
in order, and are only officers, as our Church claims, 
it seems hardly reasonable to assume that they are 
wiser and safer and more loyal than a conference of 
two or three hundred ministers, over whom they may 
happen to preside. While we are compelled to con- 
cede that our Church has been very fortunate in the 
selection of men for this office, they have never 
.proved themselves infallible. Many of our grandest 
achievements have been projected and carried through 
in opposition to their opinions. And it can not be 
otherwise, so long as they are human. To give 
them the power, therefore, to block all proceedings, 



GREAT REVIVALS. 



except in the few items named, seems to be quite 
unreasonable. Nor have we any evidence that the 
presiding elders are so much superior to the bodies 
over which they preside that it is necessary to give 
them overruling authority, as was done in the case 
named. 

We refer to these matters as an important part of 
our history during the period under consideration. 
The assumption of episcopal authority contributed 
nearly as much toward the secession of abolitionists 
as slavery itself In disgust with these high claims, 
they entirely repudiated episcopacy, and ran to the 
extreme of democracy. Methodism should occupy 
the middle ground, giving each department its proper 
functions, with ample authority to execute them, and 
holding each responsible to some supervisory juris- 
diction. The one-man government " is a dangerous 
one, whether in Church or State. The tendency of 
power is to multiply. History admonishes us to be 
cautious. ''A nation," says the immortal Montes- 
quieu, " may lose its liberties in a day, and not miss 
them in a century." ''It is against silent and slow 
attacks that a nation should be particularly on its 
guard." Popery was once as pious and harmless as 
Methodism is to-day, and had it remained so, Meth- 
odism would never have been needed. In running 
after power it apostatized, and became the ''man of 
sin," and is a beacon of warning to all other Churches. 

OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I 844. 

This body convened in Greene Street Church, 
New York, Bishops Soule, Hedding, Andrew, 
Waugh, and Morris being present. In referring to 



4i6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Bishop Roberts, who had lately deceased, they said: 
' * In the character of this faithful servant of Christ 
and the Church, the attributes of a primitive 
Christian bishop were developed in an eminent 
degree. . , . He traveled and preached the 
Gospel for more than forty years ; and for almost 
twenty-seven years he discharged the arduous duties 
of a general superintendent. ... In the amia- 
bleness of his spirit, the humility of his mind, the 
courtesy of his manners, the kindness of his words 
and actions, and in the spirituality and power of his 
ministry, there is a sweet savor, which will embalm 
him in the memory of the ministers and people of 
his charge." 

The death of Bishop Roberts, and the rapid 
extension of the work, rendered it necessary to increase 
the episcopal force, whereupon Revs. Leonidas L. 
Hamline and Edmund S. Janes Avere elected to that 
office. The former was born in Burlington, Connec- 
ticut, May lo, 1797, where he early joined ■ the 
Congregational Church, supposing himself to be a 
Christian, which he afterward found to be a mistake. 
His early leanings were toward the ministry, but he 
changed his mind, and was admitted to the bar at 
Lancaster, Ohio, in 1827. The following year he 
became particularly interested in the welfare of his 
soul, and, by the aid of some Methodist friends, found 
peace in believing, He was soon after licensed to 
preach, and joined the Ohio Conference in the 
Autumn of 1832. In 1835 was stationed in Cin- 
cinnati, where he became assistant editor of the 
Western CJiristian Advocate, in the place of Rev. 
W. Phillips, deceased. He was bishop eight years, 



GREAT REVIVALS, 



4U 



in poor health much of the time, when he resigned 
the office, and returned to the ranks of the Ohio 
Conference, superannuated. He was a very devout 
man, an able writer and preacher, and generally be- 
loved. He closed his suffering, yet happy life, at 
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, February 22, 1865. 

Bishop Janes was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, 
trained at Salisbury, Connecticut; joined the Philadel- 
phia Conference in 1830; was appointed Financial 
Secretary of the American Bible Society in 1841 ; and 
elected bishop in 1844, to which he has devoted his 
heart and life ever since, with unabated interest, and 
is still at work, generally known, and highly esteemed. 

THE POWERS OF THE BISHOPS DEFINED. 

We have already referred to some complaints 
with regard to the administration of the bishops, 
indicated by petitions to the General Conference four 
years before, asking for a ''moderate episcopacy." 
The bishops, in their address to the General Conference 
of 1844, desiring to allay any fears. that might exist 
on that point, defined their position and powers in 
so just a manner, and so contrary to sentiments 
afterward assumed by certain Southern delegates, 
and latterly by some Northern preachers, that we 
deem it appropriate to quote their words. They 
say: "Without entering minutely into the details 
of what is involved in the superintendency, it is 
sufficient for our present design to notice its several 
departments. i. Confirming orders by ordaining 
deacons and elders. We say confirming, because the 
orders are conferred by another body, which is inde- 
pendent of the episcopal office, both in its organiza- 



4l8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



tion and action. This confirmation of orders, or 
ordination, is not by virtue of a distinct and higher 
order; for, with our great founder, we are convinced 
that bishops and presbyters are the same order in the 
Christian ministry. And this has been the sentiment 
of the Wesleyan Methodists from the beginning. 
But it is by virtue of an office constitued by the 
body of presbyters for the better order of discipHne." 
(See Journal, pp. 154, 155.) 

NEW RESTRICTIONS ON THE ITINERANCY. 

The bishops had been practicing for several years 
under a rule made by themselves disallowing a minis- 
ter to remain more than four years in succession in 
the same city. If held subordinate to the calls of 
Divine Providence, it was not unreasonable, as in 
those days, four years was generally long enough ; but 
as a rule from which there could be no deviation what-, 
ever, it allowed them to follow Providence to the ex- 
tent of four years, but no further. And to render it 
still more unreasonable and disastrous, it was added, 
that a minister having been in a city four years, should 
not return to it till he had been absent six years. 

Another Episcopal rule, in keeping with this, was, 
that a preacher should not remain in the same station 
more than two years in six. These rules saved the 
bishops the trouble of inquiring into the will of God, 
or the best interest of the cause in the cases in- 
volved; but that they sometimes came sadly in collision 
with both is as demonstrable as any thing of the kind 
can be. Still, on the recommendation of the bishops, 
these rules were adopted by the General Conference, 
and inserted in the Discipline, where they remained 



GREAT REVIVALS. 



419 



a few years and were then superseded by the pres- 
ent arrangement, restricting the continuance of a 
preacher to the same appointment to three years in 
six. But this rule, allowing of no exception in the 
ordinary work, is open to the same objection, though 
less liable to prove hurtful to the cause than the 
former. 

THE GROUND ASSUMED. 

The ground assumed by the opponents of these 
rules was, that, however desirable it might be for 
bishops to have some general understanding among 
themselves as to the proper policy to be pursued in 
particular cases not settled by the Discipline, the less 
they should commit themselves to do or not to do in 
matters of expediency before ascertaining all the facts 
bearing on the case, the better. And the same was 
thought to be true of the General Conference. It 
may safely make rules providing for deviations under 
peculiar circumstances, with entire respect to Divine 
Providence, and the welfare of the cause ; but to bind 
the bishops rigidly to a set of rules, and allow them no 
discretion or deviation, under any circumstances what- 
soever, shows very great want of confidence in them 
or in God. Their idea was to make the rules, but 
to provide for deviations, as in the case of agents for 
literary institutions, etc., who can only be appointed 
by a bishop, when requested by an annual confer- 
ence. (See Discipline, ^219.) It was on this princi- 
ple that the writer opposed the extension of the term 
to three years. He believed that two years were 
generally sufficient, and that where a longer term 
was necessary, there would be good sense and piety 



420 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



enough in the bishop and conference to grant it. 
But the majority decided to make the term three 
years, and allow no man to remain a minute longer, 
however loudly Providence might call for the fourth. 
The result is, some desire to stay three years who 
really ought to remain but one, and the call in a 
very few cases is louder and more emphatic for the 
fourth year than it was for the first or the third, but 
there is no administrative power on earth to grant it. 

This is thought to be inconsistent, i. Because, as a 
Church, we claim to be especially led by Providence. 
2. Because that Ave pray to be so led, Avhereas we 
have already determined not to follow Providence be- 
yond three years, however loudly it may call. While 
it may not often be desirable to go beyond this limit, 
the bishops, in concurrence with the conference, 
should have authority to do so in great emergencies. 
Of course, this would require investigation and decis- 
ion, where now the rule excludes both. If the Gen- 
eral Conference were to make a rule appointing the 
presiding elders by seniority of service, and the 
preachers in regular rotation, without regard to adap- 
tation, it would relieve them altogether; they would 
hardly be needed. But that would be folly. Are 
not the inflexible rules objected to liable to a similar 
charge ? 

The itinerancy is the stamped feature of Method- 
ism, to Avhich it is largely indebted for its success, 
and it must be maintained. We would make no 
suggestion looking toward its overthrow. Any rule 
that holds a man to a position the second or third 
year, who clearly ought to vacate at the close of 
the first, is an error. But it does happen in the 



GREAT REVIVALS. 421 

course of time, that the very man whom Providence 
requires to leave one place at the close of the first 
year, is required to continue the fourth in another place 
by the same high authority. May not the Church 
safely provide for following Providence in the latter 
case, as well as the former? We think so. But the 
General Conference seems to have been strangely 
averse to it. Formerly, some bishops would allow a 
preacher to remain an extra year as supernumerary, 
and this relieved the difficulty. (See South Fifth- 
street, Minutes, 1858. New York East Conference.) 
But somebody became alarmed for the itinerancy, 
and procured the enactment of a rule prohibiting 
even this. (See Dis. •[[ 295.) 

Thus our bishops are now so hedged about that 
they can not appoint a man an extra year if it were 
to save the universe, showing a mortifying distrust not 
of bishops only, but of the whole Church. How- 
ever, the writer is not tenacious. He ventures these 
suggestions for what they may be worth. God is good 
enough to overrule our errors, and will probably do 
so in this case. But a majority may take other views, 
and maintain our long continued course. 



422 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER X. 



SLAVERY — ITS EARLY TREATMENT SUSPENSION OF HOSTILI- 
TIES ABOLITIONISM AND THE GENERAL CON- 
FERENCE OF 1836, ETC. 



O history of Methodism can be true to the 



■i ^ subject, which does not indicate something 
further of its relations to negro slavery. Now that 
it is abolished both in England and America, the 
two grand centers of Methodism, many are quite 
willing to claim the honor of the noble achievement, 
who are known to have opposed it to the last, while 
some take more credit than belongs to them, and 
ignore others who acted a more influential part. 

This remark is fully justified by the four or five 
histories of emancipation which have been and are 
now being published. They almost entirely over- 
look the agency of Methodism — in some cases, prob- 
ably, from prejudice, and in others from ignorance. 
The several authors wrote from their respective stand- 
points, neither of which was favorable to a proper 
appreciation of the part which the Church acted in 
the long and tedious conflict. In saying this, we are 
by no means so blind to its defects as to believe that 
its course was always right, or the most favorable to 
the final result. This can not be predicated of any 
Church or association in the country. Even the 
Quakers, who were for a while more distinguished 




SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



for opposition to slavery, perhaps, than any other 
religious society, once tolerated slave-holding among 
their members. But we are quite satisfied that the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, with all her defects, 
did contribute more toward the wonderful consum- 
mation than is generally attributed to her. Let us 
glance at the facts, good and bad, and see how far 
they justify this opinion. 

MR. Wesley's position. 

Mr. Wesley's hostility to slavery, in all its moods 
and tenses, is not generally understood. When in 
Georgia and South Carolina, in 1736, he was deeply 
affected with the heathenish condition of the slaves, 
but, returning home soon, was unable to do much 
for them; but, twenty years after, he corresponded 
with Rev. Samuel Davis, a Presbyterian, of Virginia, 
and sent him a present of books for their benefit. 
About that time, a Mr. Gilbert, of Antigua, speaker 
of the House of Assembly, visited England, accom- 
panied by four of his slaves, where he heard Mr. 
Wesley preach, and was converted December 29, 
1758. Mr. Wesley baptized two of the slaves. 
They laid the fouiKdation of the Wesleyan missions, 
which did much to prepare the slaves of the West 
Indies for emancipation. 

In 1774, he published a large pamphlet, entitled, 
"Thoughts upon Slavery," one of the most elabo- 
rate and able works on the subject in the English 
language. It exerted a powerful influence on the 
public conscience, and contributed largely, we have 
no doubt, to multiply the petitions which began, ten 
years after, to flow into Parliament against the slave- 



424 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

trade. It was sent out in every direction with his 
preachers, and was widely scattered by them both in 
Europe and America. How much he inspired Mr. 
Clarkson, who was the very soul of the antislavery 
movement in England, we can not say; but it is cer- 
tain that he gave him his most hearty approval. In 
one of his letters to him, he said: '*Go on, in the 
name of God and in the power of his might, till 
even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the 
sun) shall vanish away before it." Prior to this, he 
had taken a lively interest in the bills which were 
proposed to Parliament by Messrs. Pitt, Wilberforce, 
and others, and which finally resulted not only in 
the abolition of the slave-trade, but in the overthrow 
of slavery itself throughout the British dominions. 

THE ATTITUDE OF EARLY METHODISTS IN AMERICA. 

Wesley's followers naturally sympathized with his 
antislavery views, so that when some of them came 
to America as missionaries, they were in no mood 
to tolerate the system of slavery, which they found 
there on every side. They began at once to preach 
and talk privately against it. For a while they 
made considerable headway. At a conference of 
the preachers, in 1780, the matter was introduced 
and decided thus: ''Does the conference acknowl- 
edge that slavery is contrary to the laws of God, 
man, and nature, and hurtful to society, contrary to 
the dictates of conscience and pure religion, and 
doing that which we would not others should do to 
us and ours? Do we pass our disapprobation upon 
all our friends who keep slaves, and advise their free- 
dom? Answer. Yes." 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



425 



Four years after, at which time the Church was 
duly organized, the conference prohibited ''the buy- 
ing or seUing the bodies and souls of men, women, 
or children with an intention to enslave them," thus 
striking boldly at the slave-trade and excluding it 
from the Church. It also made provision for expell- 
ing all members who would not manumit their slaves, 
pronouncing slavery ''contrary to the golden law of 
God, the inalienable rights of mankind, as well as 
every principle of the Revolution." 

But the abomination was too deeply rooted in 
the cupidity of the people to be easily eradicated. 
It was pi'ojitable, and becoming more and more so 
every year, especially in the South. The Northern 
States had seen the evil, and were working out of 
it. Massachusetts adopted a bill of rights in 1780, 
and New Hampshire a Constitution about that time, 
which made them both free by judicial interpreta- 
tion. The others followed with immediate or gradual 
/ emancipation, but not without intense and persistent 
antislavery work. 

Young Methodism did its part in these move- 
ments, according to its little strength and influence. 
It made many rules, from time to time, to restrain 
its preachers and members from participating in the 
great evil; but still it grew and prevailed. Both 
traveling and local preachers became entangled in it 
to such an extent that all attempts to effect emanci- 
pation seemed useless. 

A TURN IN THE TIDE. 

Here the tide gradually turned, and a new style 
of legislation was adopted, for reasons which can be 

36 



426 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



easily imagined. In 1804, preachers were required 
to admonish all slaves to render due respect and 
obedience to their respective masters; and, four 
years later, all that related to slave-holding among 
private members was struck out of the Discipline, 
and annual conferences were authorized to make 
their own regulations relative to buying and selling 
slaves. This was done to throw off responsibility, 
and let the conferences concerned manage the troub- 
lesome question to suit themselves. (Stevens's His- 
tory, Vol. IX, p. 454.) 

It was reaffirmed in 18 12, and rescinded in 1820, 
and, in 1824, instructions were added with regard to 
the treatment of slaves, their emancipation appearing 
to be impossible. After this, for several years, the 
General Conference said httle on the subject; but 
the Southern conferences regularly drifted from orig- 
inal principles until they came to regard slavery as 
just and right, as may be seen from the action of 
the Georgia Conference of 1837, in these words: 

'^Whereas, there is a clause in the Discipline of 
our Church which states that we are as much as 
ever convinced of the great evil of slavery; and 
zvhereas, the said clause has been perverted by some 
and used in such a manner as to produce the impres- 
sion that the Methodist Episcopal Church believed 
slavery to be a moral evil; therefore, 

''Resolved, That it is the sense of the Georgia 
Annual Conference that slavery, as it exists in the 
United States, is not a moral evil." 

Looking at this declaration, to which we never 
heard a demur from the extreme Southern confer- 
ences, in connection with the denunciations of slavery 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



427 



proclaimed by the fathers of the Church, one may 
be surprised at the wonderful apostasy which it 
indicates; but the same great change transpired in 
all classes of society, and in all parts of the country. 
The North even, after abolishing slavery as a sin and 
blot upon a free government, came to indorse and 
defend it with almost as much vehemence as the 
slave-holders themselves, as will be seen when we 
come to speak of slavery and abolition. Though 
few citizens of the free States owned slaves, the 
whole community was interested in the products of 
their labor. Cotton, rice, sugar, tobacco, etc., were 
staple articles of commerce, w^hich the free States 
needed and could get in exchange for food, cloth- 
ing, and various kinds of costly furniture, in great 
demand with slave-holders. 

Besides, these gentlemen spent large sums of 
money North, during the Summer months, at our 
hotels and watering-places, and in the education of 
their children. There were other bonds of union 
between the two sections, created by intermarriages, 
Church, political, and other fellowships, to say noth- 
ing of personal esteem, which was very strong on 
both sides. The notable hospitality of slaveholders 
had endeared them to many a Northern heart. All 
these things combined to intrench slavery in public 
confidence; and, had the South managed their great 
advantage with more prudence, they might have 
retained their position to the present time. 

ORIGINAL PRINCIPLES REAFFIRMED. 

But the General Conference rallied, in i860, and 
reiterated our old principles, saying, "We believe 



428 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



that the buying, selHng, or holding of human beings, 
to be used as chattels, is contrary to the laws of God 
and nature, and inconsistent with the golden rule," 
etc., and admonished our preachers and people "to 
seek its extirpation by all lawful and Christian 
means." Four years after, the general rule was 
changed to prohibit slave-holding, as well as buying 
or selling slaves. 

The retrogression of the Church, however, to 
which we have referred, was not complete. The 
Discipline still retained much of its former antago- 
nism to the system, and contemplated its overthrow, 
which, though partially inoperative for a time, be- 
came of the utmost importance to abolitionists after- 
ward, when accused of disturbing the peace of the 
Church. The General Rules still prohibited "the 
buying and selling of men, women, and children 
with an intention of enslaving them," Avhile the 
chapter on slavery proposed active measures for its 
abolishment. 

This was the standing sentiment of the Church, 
officially published North and South from 3'ear to 
year, and had more or less to do with creating that 
state of things which produced emancipation. We 
have yet to know of another Church or associa- 
tion embracing the slave-holding States that took a 
stronger position. Besides, the Church during all 
this time was pushing its evangelizing labors among 
the slaves, and thus preparing them for liberty. 

THE SUBJECT STILL ALIVE. 

This quiet, however, in the General Conference 
did not put the subject to rest either in the Church 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



or out of it. Slave-holders never failed to be present 
in Congress with some new demand, or to find par- 
ties of opponents scattered about the country, who 
were not wanting in zeal or courage to denounce 
them. It was impossible to keep the subject down. 
Slaves would run away and must be caught. This 
often created no little excitement. The fact that the 
land of the free should be the hunting-ground of 
oppressors was, to say the least, extremely mortify- 
ing. Besides,- the free negroes were multiplying by 
one means and another, and certain slaves were get- 
ting to know more, and becoming less valuable, and 
there was no possible way to get rid of them. These 
circumstances taxed the wisdom of the South ex- 
ceedingly. At length, a semi-religious thought oc- 
curred to some one, who expanded it into a magnifi- 
cent plan to remove the free negroes, who were 
regarded as a nuisance, and such slaves as their 
owners might feel disposed for one reason or another 
to manumit, in a benevolent way. After mature 
deliberation, though without fully comprehending all 
the bearings of the project, in 1816 

THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY WAS ORGANIZED IN 

the City of Washington, and pressed upon public 
attention as a Christian institution, designed to pro- 
mote the welfare of the colored race. Auxiliaries 
were formed and agents appointed in all parts of the 
country. To the North it was represented as an anti- 
slavery missionary movement, calculated to under- 
mine slavery and redeem Africa. With this under- 
standing many Churches indorsed it, and took collec- 
tions in its interest. The General Conference of 



430 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



1824 considered the subject, but, for the want of infor- 
mation, did not commit itself further than to authorize 
the bishops to send missionaries to Africa under its 
auspices so soon as the funds would justify it. But 
four years after it highly approved its objects and 
measures, and recommended the ministry and mem- 
bership to favor it, by collections and otherwise. 
It subsequently repeated the recommendation with 
much emphasis. This brought its claims before the 
whole Church, and with it the correlative question 
of slaver}'. 

About this time, too, the society unsuspiciously 
solicited sermons to be preached by ministers gener- 
ally on the FoiniJi of July, and collections to be taken 
for the promotion of its objects. ]\Ian}' responded 
favorably, printed their sermons, and sent them 
broadcast by mail, not overlooking the Southern 
States, to which the society properly belonged. But 
they were so full of liberty to the captives that they 
created a terrible excitement. Dr. Capers was led to 
doubt, on reading these stirring productions, whether 
he was in favor of the society or not, and said, in a 
letter to Dr. Bangs, editor of The CJiristian Advocate, 
that if ' ' he had been the author and distributor of 
them, and had been compelled to suffer death for it, 
he might not have called the punishment a persecu- 
tion." He thought the managers should have known 
better than to have issued such an invitation, and he 
pronounced it a ''miscarriage.'' 

But the society did not take urll with antislavery 
men. To their apprehension it was a suspicious 
affair, and the}' soon denounced it as a pro-slavery 
movement. In support of this opinion they urged 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



that Judge Bushrod, Its first president, and nearly all 
its managers, were slave-holders, and that twelve of 
its seventeen vice-presidents were Southern men. Be- 
sides, it originated in the South, and claimed South- 
ern support on the ground that it ''must materially 
tend to secure the property of every master in the 
United States in his slaves." And what placed this 
point beyond question Avith the people Avas its bitter 
hostility to antislavery measures. But still many wise 
men thought they saw good in it, and gave it their 
cordial support. 

We have not room to repeat the arguments on 
either side. Who was right or wrong is of no ac- 
count now. Nothing can be more certain than that 
the Colonization Society originated in the South, 
and was intended to fortify slavery, and increase the 
value of slave property. But instead of doing so, 
it inaugurated a discussion through the free States 
that produced emancipation — showing that God 
sometimes leads men and nations in ways that they 
do not understand. 

ANTISLAVERY SOCIETIES ORGANIZED. 

A few men, like Elias Hicks, Benjamin Lundy, 
and William Lloyd Garrison, were so impressed with 
the wrongs of slavery that they were ready to seize 
upon every opportunity to assail it, and took advan- 
tage of this opening to herald their views in every 
direction. Others soon joined them, and the con- 
troversy waxed warm, and led to the formation of 
the ''New England Antislavery Society" in 1832, in 
Boston. 

At its first anniversary it initiated measures for 



432 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the calling of a convention to form a National Society 
of similar character, which resulted in the organiza- 
tion of the * 'American Antislavery Society," at Phil- 
adelphia, in December, 1833, In the mean time The 
Liberator and other antislavery papers had been 
started, and were attracting much attention. These 
things greatly disturbed the South. The Legislature 
of Georgia offered a reward of five thousand dollars for 
the arrest of the editor of the Liberator, and other sim- 
ilar methods were adopted in the slave States for the 
arrest of any body who should be found circulating 
''incendiary" sentiments. Our missions to the slaves 
were badly threatened and interrupted. Bishops and 
editors were greatly alarmed, and, in common with 
other denominations, made haste to resist the coming 
tide, and our official papers opened upon abolition- 
isjn' in good earnest. 

ORIGIN OF METHODIST ABOLITIONISM. 

But it was too much to expect common Method- 
ist preachers to stand still under these circumstances 
and do nothing. "What shall we do for the extir- 
pation of the evil of slavery?" had been ringing in 
their ears ever since they first read the Discipline. 
The British Parliament was just then striking off the 
last fetter from its West Indian subjects, and Provi- 
dence seemed to be calling upon Christians for vig- 
orous action. Revs. Orange Scott and La Roy Sun- 
derland, of the New P2ngland Conference, Rev. 
George Storrs, of the New Hampshire Conference, 
and some others, heard the call, and entered the 
field with pen and voice, and did efficient service. 
When Dr. P^isk offered the usual resolutions in favor 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



433 



of the Colonization Society in the New England 
Conference in 1834, Mr. Scott moved to lay them on 
,the table where they still sleep. At the opening of 
the following year, from December 30, 1834, to 
March 20, 1835, published a series of sixteen 
articles in Zioii s Hei'ald, detailing the horrors of 
slavery and the duty of immediate emancipation. 
Mr. Sunderland wrote an appeal" on the subject, 
'which was published in an extra of the same paper 
February 4, 1835, signed by Shipley VVillson, Abram 
D. Merrill, La Roy Sunderland, George Storrs, and 
Gared Perkins. 

These documents, with others, took effect. Many 
believed the doctrines set forth, and committed them- 
selves to the antislavery cause. Others, good and 
true men, resisted the movement with great power 
of argument and influence. Mr. Sunderland's "ap- 
peal" was met with a "counter appeal," which ap- 
peared in another extra of Zioii s Herald, April 8, 
1835, signed by nine of our leading ministers. It 
did not assume to defend slavery outright, but claimed 
that Christians were justified in holding slaves under 
certain circumstances, and that abolitionism was 
wrong, and dangerous to every interest involved, 
civil, ecclesiastical, and religious. Thus the contro- 
versy was fully inaugurated in the Church, ministers 
and people taking position on one side or the other 
with more or less zeal and activity. New writers 
and speakers came to the front almost every week. 
Conventions, addresses, resolutions, hard speeches, 
and mobs were the order of the day, and the 
outlook was threatening; but the cause advanced 
rapidly. 

37 



434 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



THE NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE LEADS OFF. 

The next New England Conference met in Lynn, 
Massachusetts, June 3, 1835, when it was found that 
a majority of the members were ready to take spe- 
cific action. They accordingly organized for the 
purpose, under the title of the ' ' New England Wes- 
leyan Antislavery Society," and made arrangements 
to circulate Wesley's "Thoughts on Slavery," and 
other documents; and appointed a committee to write 
an address to the members of the Church within the 
bounds of the conference, and publish it in Zioii s 
Herald, which was done in due time. 

The events, however, which created the most 
excitement, grew out of the election of delegates to 
the General Conference, which was to convene the 
following May, in Cincinnati, Ohi^. Dr. Fisk had 
been the leading man of the conference for some 
years, and naturally expected that he would command 
the largest number of votes ; but the ballot placed 
-Mr. Scott at the head, the doctor next, supported by 
five abolitionists in the rear. Averse to abolition as 
Dr. Fisk really and honestly was, the situation did 
not please him, and he declined to serve ; whereupon, 
an abolitionist was elected in his place. This was 
all proper enough. Conferences are free to vote for 
whom they please; and good men are often disap- 
pointed to find themselves behind others, and have 
been known to decline important positions, but not 
often. And it would have created no disturbance, 
had the matter been let alone by outsiders, who had 
no official connection with it. But certain New York 
brethren seemed to feel about that time that the 



S£ C TIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



435 



whole Church was pretty much in their charge, and 
hastened to write a letter of condolence and congrat- 
ulation to Dr. Fisk, approving of his declination to 
be a delegate, and wasting no compliments on the 
conference. This letter, with Dr. Fisk's reply, was 
published in TJie Christian Advocate, September 4, 
1835, and elicited a protest, signed by some forty- 
three members of the New England Conference, 
which was published in Zion s Herald (for abolitionists 
had no rights in our official papers, not even to deny 
any thing that might be said against them). The 
protest charged that the letter was an unjustifiable 
interference with the concerns of the New England 
Conference, designed to forestall the influence of the 
delegates in the next General Conference. The in- 
justice of this, and other similar proceedings, did 
more to make our preachers abolitionists than the 
lectures of Thompson, Garrison, and the whole party 
put together. Thus, slave-holders started the aboli- 
tion discussion by their colonization scheme, and 
their apologists fanned it into a flame by imprudent 
and unjust efforts to suppress it. 

Dr. Elliott, whose hostility to abolition amounted 
to unmitigated hatred, and tainted, yea, totally inval- 
idated much of his mammoth volume on Secession, 
says of this unfortunate affair : 

*'The course of the New York preachers and 
laymen who signed the congratulation to Dr. Fisk, 
was extraordinary. It was unjust, and inflicted a 
great injury. The New England Conference is as- 
saulted as a set of serviles, and not high even in 
that grade. They are published as such to the world, 
and they can have no space in the columns of the 



436 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



paper which defamed them to utter their protest 
against such unjust measures. . . . Among all 
the publications we have read since the abolition ex- 
• citement in 1833, we have seen nothing so extraor- 
dinary and so much astray as this same paper, which 
so unsparingly denounced the New England Confer- 
ence." (Great Secession, p. 125.) 

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CONFERENCE 

met soon after, July 29, 1835, and organized "The 
Wesleyan Antislavery Society" for their own con- 
venience in circulating information — taking the popu- 
lar antislavery ground of the day ; namely, slavery, 
sin per se, and immediate abolition, the right of the 
slave and the d?ity of the master. It proposed and 
introduced a report which the bishop declined to 
entertain ; whereupon, the conference went into a 
committee of the whole, and adopted it. It was 
published in the Herald, September 30, but never, 
of course, in TJie Christian Advocate. But The Chris- 
tiaii Advocate assailed both it and the conference, in 
terms which we forbear to repeat, and refused to 
publish any reply. 

These circumstances necessitated other measures, 
to which we shall allude hereafter. 

ADDRESSES OF BISHOPS HEDDING, EMORY, AND DR. FISK. 

The next important event that transpired was an 
Address to the ministers and members of the New 
England and New Hampshire Conferences by Bishops 
Hedding and Emory, published September loth, ex- 
pressing their solicitude on account of the painful 
excitement on the subject of ''immediate abolition." 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



A17 



It assumed that the trouble was Hmited to those two 
conferences, and that many of the preachers, and a 
majority of the people, were opposed to the move- 
ment, as was the Church generally ; that it was doing 
great damage to our missionary work among the 
slaves, and, indeed, would be likely to divide the 
Church and the country if continued. They entreated 
them, therefore, to desist. . The address manifested a 
kind spirit, but it Avas heretical in sentiment and 
policy, according to the antislavery standards of 
New England, and gave no perceptible check to the 
agitation. 

Dr. Fisk, being about to embark for Europe, " 
published a farewell address to his New England 
friends, taking the same ground on the subject the 
bishops had done ; but it, also, utterly failed of its 
object. The fact is, abolition was a religious senti- 
ment, deeply imbedded in the hearts of the preachers 
and the people who advocated it. They knew that 
holding and treating their fellow-beings and members 
of the Church as property was sin, if there was any 
such thing as sin in the universe, and that the way 
to kill it was to expose its enormity. It cost them, 
a great deal to take the stand they did, against the 
remonstrances of their best friends, and in the face of 
powerful enemies, backed by public opinion. They 
loved the bishops and Dr. Fisk, and were sorry to 
afflict them, but felt compelled to follow their honest 
convictions. 

INJUSTICE TO ABOLITIONISTS. 

The injustice with \\'hich they were treated was 
directly calculated to make them persistent, if not 



438 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



severe. They seemed to have no rights which others 
were bound to respect. Shut out of the Church pa- 
pers, and disallowed to remonstrate against slavery in 
their conferences, while slave-holders and their apolo- 
gists had free access to the papers, and perfect lib- 
erty in their conferences to denounce abolition, they 
would have been unworthy of respect if they had not 
been indignant and stood up for their rights. This 
same year, August 20, 1835, they were assailed in 
the Western CJiristian Advocate by fourteen Baltimore 
preachers, and treated to a rehash of the common 
pro-slavery complaints and prophecies of the day. 
Four days after, the Ohio Conference adopted a re- 
port without let or hinderance, avowing just such 
antislavery sentiments as were current in the South, 
berating abolitionists, and indorsing the Colonization 
Society. The same month, the Kentucky Confer- 
ence adopted a similar report, though less pro-slavery, 
declaring that the course of the abolitionists ''should 
be looked upon as an unwarrantable assumption of 
claim, and an abuse of the rights of citizenship;" 
but it commended colonization in the highest manner. 

The Tennessee Conference followed suit by a 
string of resolutions, reiterating Southern sentiments, 
condemning abolitionists, approving colonization, the 
course of Bishops Hedding and Emory, the action of 
the Maine, Ohio, and Kentucky Conferences, and 
the efforts of Dr. Fisk ; and all went into the official 
papers. 

While these things were going on in the Church, 
they were heartily responded to from without, in 
similar utterances, mobs, and declarations of oppos- 
ing sentiment. Tl"ie Governor of South Carolina 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



439 



demanded the delivery of Arthur Tappan, of the city 
of New York, to be judged, and, of course, hanged, 
by the laws of the Palmetto State. Governor M'Dufine 
declared that "domestic slavery, instead of being a 
political evil, is the corner-stone of our republican 
edifice." 

zion's watchman started. 

Failing to see themselves the miscreants they 
were represented to be, the ' ' New York Wesleyan 
Society" issued Zioii s WatcJunan, January i, 1836, 
with La Roy Sunderland as editor, that they might 
make some sort of a defense. Mr. Sunderland was a 
very able writer, and annoyed his neighbor of the 
Advocate, Dr. Bangs, exceedingly, who arraigned him 
before the New England Conference three or four 
times, but found him a hard man to handle. Mr. 
Sunderland's defenses were wonderful specimens of 
forensic power, such as we have never heard excelled 
in any court or conference since. 

The year 1836 renewed the dispensation of reso- 
lutions. Baltimore Conference resolved itself op- 
posed in every part and particular to the proceedings 
of the abolitionists." The New York Conference 
resolved to ''disapprove of its members patronizing, 
or in any way giving countenance to, a paper called 
Zioii s Watc/unaJL," and that it was "decidedly of 
the opinion that none ought to be elected to the 
office of deacon or elder unless he give a pledge to 
the conference that he will refrain from agitating the 
Church with discussions on the subject of abolition. " 
An antislavery report was presented to the New 
England Conference near its close, says Dr. Elliott, 



440 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



but ''out of regard to the feeHngs of a minority it 
Avas withdrawn," though a majority would have voted 
for it had it come to a decision — a magnanimity only 
excelled by that same majority the year before in 
electing Dr. Fisk a delegate, knowing him to be op- 
posed to them, and never, to our knowledge, imi- 
tated by their opponents. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 836. 

The General Conference held at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
however, was the great denominational event of this 
year. With so many anti-abolition resolutions adopte(^ 
by the conservative conferences to keep down excite- 
ment, it was not unreasonable to expect a pretty 
warm time. The second day of the session brought 
the subject of slavery upon the tapis in an address 
from the British Conference, which was so outspoken 
the conference would not publish it in the usual way. 
Besides, many antislavery petitions were presented, 
one signed by 200 preachers, and another by 2,284 
members, mostly from New England. These were 
duly referred, and met the fate anticipated, without 
creating much excitement. 

But Rev. George Storrs and Samuel Norris, from 
New Hampshire, exercising the common rights and 
privileges of ministers and citizens, had the imperti- 
nence to attend an antislavery meeting in the city, 
and make addresses looking toward the extirpation 
of the ''great evil" denounced by their Discipline. 
But this was no business of the General Conference. 
Had they stolen a man, that conference had no right 
to try them; they were amenable to the New Hamp- 
shire Conference alone. But viigJU was rigJit in 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES, 



441 



those days, and will always control where slavery 
and kindred crimes are in the ascendant; so the 
conference, under the lead of Baltimore, hastened to 
express its judgment of the case in the following 
condemnatory resolutions : 

''Resolved, i. By the delegates of the annual con- 
ferences in General Conference assembled. That they 
disapprove in the most unqualified sense the conduct 
of the two members of the General Conference who 
are reported to have lectured in this city recently 
upon and in favor of modern abolitionism. 

'*2, That they are decidedly opposed to modern 
abolitionism, and wholly disclaim any right, wish, or 
intention to interfere in the civil and political re- 
lation between master and slave, as it exists in the 
slave-holding States of this Union." (Journal, p. 447.) 

The first was adopted by a vote of 122 to 11, 
and the last, being divided, by a vote, on the first 
part, of 120 to 14, and the last by a vote of 137, 
without opposition. This naturally brought forth 
a protest, signed by the immortal fourteen; and pub- 
lished in pamphlet form for circulation among the 
members of the conference, as an "Address to the 
General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, by a member of that body;" but it was 
not allowed to go upon the journals, and was de- 
nounced as "false, and an outrage on the dignity of 
the body, meriting unqualified reprehension." How 
good men could do so foolish a thing seems unac- 
countable, but they did not understand themselves 
or the purposes of Providence. The resolutions went 
forth and added fuel to the fire they were intended 
to quench. The abuse of minorities never pays. 



442 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



NO SOUTHERN BISHOP ELECTED. 

After pleasing the South to such an unreasonable 
extent, it seemed unlikely that there would be a 
demur at any thing it might demand. But, innocent 
as slave-holding ministers were assumed to be in 
their peculiar ^ circumstances, it had never been 
deemed expedient to elect one to the episcopacy, 
and three new bishops were needed. The South 
had high hopes of breaking down this old prejudice, 
and placing a slave-holder in the highest office of the 
Church, and were greatly disappointed to find, on 
counting the votes, that Messrs. Waugh, Fisk, and 
Morris, three non-slave-holders were elected. This 
provoked Southern leaders more than abolitionism 
had done, and measures were immediately adopted 
by William A. Smith and others to create a senti- 
ment South that should demand a slave-holding 
bishop, or the division of that very Church whose 
peace had been an object of so much solicitude. 

The conference having adjourned, the bishops and 
delegates returned to their respective fields, to carry 
out its expressed judgment and will. Accordingly, 
Bishop Hedding removed Mr. Scott from the presid- 
ing eldership; but abolitionists went on much as 
before, improving such opportunities as were left to 
them. And it is well they did, though they have 
never been forgiven, and never will be by some of 
their old opponents. But they conquered, and re- 
deemed the Church from the deep degradation into 
which it had drifted. Though slavery is abolished, 
its spirit still lingers, and, if not carefully watched, 
may lead to other dangerous complications. The 



SECTIONAL DIFFERENCES. 



443 



ownership of men, soul, body, and spirit, is its fullest 
and worst development. The oppression of them by 
personal violence, or party tyranny, is no better in 
principle, and may torment them within the law. 
The lash of a majority in the shape of an unjust 
resolution, is the same in nature as that of the raw- 
hide on the bare back of its helpless victim. To 
respect manhood and to be just, though the heavens 
fall, are rare virtues. 



444 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER XI. 

A.NTISLAVERY CONVENTIONS — LEADERS ARRAIGNED PACIFI- 
CATION SECESSIONAL INDICATIONS GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE OF 1840 SECESSION COMPLETED GENERAL CON- 
FERENCE OF 1844 SOUTHERN SEPARATION OPPOSED 

MORAL INFLUENCE OF CONFLICTING AGENCIES, ETC. 

WE closed the last chapter with some account 
of the General Conference of 1836, which 
really intended to suppress the abolition agitation. 
How far it succeeded will be seen in the following 
statements : 

The New England Conference met, in 1837, ^.t 
Nantucket, anticipating that the bishops would refuse 
to put any motion involving slavery and abolition. 
To be prepared for the emergency, the abolitionists 
had a meeting the day before, and determined that, 
unless they should have the privilege of presenting 
their memorials, and referring them in the usual way, 
they would block all business, and adjourn from time 
time, until their demands were acceded to; and in- 
formed Bishop VVaugh of, their purpose. But he 
wrote them a kind letter, proposing to allow them 
to adopt a respectful petition to the next General 
Conference, and sheltered himself under the action 
of the late General Conference. The abolitionists 
did not accept the compromise proposed, or yield 
the principle; but, being Methodists, and concilia- 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



445 



tory at that, and having faith in God and the just- 
ness of their cause, they receded from their purpose, 
and adopted a strong antislavery report in their so- 
ciety, and pubHshed it in Zioii s Herald. The New 
Hampshire Conference pursued a similar course, with 
the same results. Other conferences became alarmed 
about the new doctrine of "conference rights," which 
was liable to hit somebody else by and by, and 
cause trouble on other questions. But the conserv- 
ative conferences kept up the agitation, still claiming 
that slavery was a political question, with which they 
had nothing to do. 

ANTISLAVERY CONVENTIONS. 

Being silenced in the conferences, but not dis- 
couraged, the abolitionists took themselves to conve7i- 
tions. The first was held at Cazenovia, New York, 
showing that the reform was working westward. 
August 1 6th, a lay convention was held, growing out 
of the one at Cazenovia, which took decided action 
as to the course of the bishops. Another convened 
at Lynn, Massachusetts, October 25th. and issued 
a declaration of sentiments, and a long report on 
''Conference Rights," which gave official editors busi- 
ness for months. The famous Convention at Utica, 
New York, was also held this year, August 2d, 3d, 
and became the innocent occasion of trouble to Revs. 
James Floy and C. K. True, who participated in its 
proceedings. They were called to account- by the 
New York Conference, and laid under embargo — 
much to their annoyance, to say the least — but they 
both survived to overpower their opponents and 
take an active part in the movement without danger 



446 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



to their ecclesiastical standing. Several other minis- 
ters were present, who afterward joined the pro-slav- 
ery party, one of whom became a Southern D. D., 
a slave-holder, and a rebel, and finally found a home 
in tJie Church which is supported by some of its ad- 
mirers because it never meddles either with politics 
or religion. A similar convention was also held in 
Lowell, Massachusetts, which made no little stir. 
The death of ]\Ir. Lovejoy, an able Congregational 
minister, by a mob at Alton, Illinois, added new fuel 
to the flame, and made thousands of converts. The 
proposition to annex Texas to the Union aroused 
politicians to see the destiny to which the nation was 
drifting. The general controversy was lively, in 
which Sunderland, Scott, Horton, Bangs, Fisk, and 
many others, were prominent. 

TWO OF THE LEADERS ARRAIGNED. 

The year 1838 was remarkable for several impor- 
tant events. ^Ir. Scott issued the first number of 
TJie Wesleyan Quarterly Review, embracing a solemn 
appeal to the Methodist Episcopal Church, giving 
the substance of the whole controversy in the au- 
thor's off-hand and forcible st}-le, and handling his 
opponents with unusual severit}^ He was an effec- 
tive preacher and writer, but in his hurr}' — for he 
seldom had time to revise his work — and stung by 
the multiplied suspicions and accusations of his op- 
ponents, which were very uncharitable, and the in- 
justice of editors in refusing him an}' opportunity to 
reply to their abuse, he was imprudent, and impli- 
cated the motives of honest but misguided men.^ 
Bishop Hedding was much aggrieved, and arraigned 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



447 



him at his conference, which sat in Bennett Street, 
Boston, June 6th, and made a stupendous effort to 
have him rebuked, at least. We never saw that 
grand old bishop tower higher than on that memora- 
ble occasion. The conference did not fully approve of 
Mr. Scott's course, nor would it disparage him much 
in view of all the circumstances. While the matter 
was still pending, some one proposed a private inter- 
view of the parties, to which they assented ; and the 
bishop invited the writer to accompany him to the 
place of meeting, where the difficulty was honorably 
settled. 

Mr. Sunderland was also arraigned by Bishop 
Hedding, and had another apportunity to say all 
that was in his heart — and he improved it to perfec- 
tion. Mr. Sunderland escaped censure. But the 
conference itself was overhauled by the next Gen- 
eral Conference, against all precedent, for acquitting 
these brethren, and would probably have been cen- 
sured, if not expelled, but for the kind and prudent 
interposition of Bishop Hedding. These things did 
not humble the conference in the least; it felt an 
honest pride in its noble position, and maintained it. 

But this trial taught Mr, Scott that the conference 
would not sustain him in imitating the severity of 
his opponents, and that he must be more careful. 
The conference continued about seventeen days. For, 
in addition to these two gigantic contests, another was 
foisted upon it, still more dangerous, in the shape of 

"a plan of pacification," 

designed to modify both sides a little, and improve 
the spirit of the controversy. Tlic trouble with the 



448 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



plan was, it got into the ''wrong pew;" it properly 
belonged to the agitating conferences rather than to 
New England, which was forced to keep still by 
episcopal authority. Bishops Hedding and Soule, 
Drs. Fisk, Bangs, and the like, approved it — for New 
England — and it was referred to a committee, who 
did not agree; whereupon it was presented to the 
conference, and signed by a majority of the mem- 
bers. The minority regarded it as a yoke, to Avhich 
they could not submit without proving recreant to 
the reform. It soon became a dead letter, though 
it created a warm discussion for a time. 

The New Hampshire Conference had better for- 
tune, meeting at Danville, July 4th. A respectable 
resolution vindicatory of abolition being introduced, 
Bishop Morris decided it out of order, but said he 
would allow an appeal from his decision on certain 
specified conditions, which were acceded to, and the 
appeal was taken and sustained, when the resolu- 
tion was adopted, eighty-one voting for it, and one 
against it. All were pleased; nobody fainted, and 
business proceeded in good order. This was the 
turn of a very damaging tide, raised by the bishops 
and the General Conference, and did more to tran- 
quillize the agitation than all the addresses that ever 
came from the episcopal bench ; but it was too late 
to arrest the coming secession, which had been pro- 
voked and nursed by the offensive administration, 
from which it was a palpable divergence. 

OUTSIDE OPERATIONS. 

The American Antislavery Society, with which 
many of our preachers were associated, as agents or 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



449 



otherwise, made marked progress this year, reporting 
340 new auxiliaries, twelve of which were State 
societies, making in all under its supervision, 1,346. 
It employed thirty-eight agents, printed a vast 
amount of matter, and sent petitions to the United 
States Senate, embracing 414,000 names, expending 
about ;^44,ooo. 

Our cause was helped at this time by the ex- 
treme pro-slavery action of the Southern conferences, 
showing that they fully indorsed the chief sin of the 
nation. Many Northern men who had pitied them 
with the understanding that they were opposed to 
slavery, and were only connected with it because 
they could not avoid it, lost all patience with them 
and took sides with abolitionists. 

The controversy developed little that was new 
in 1839. Bishops and presiding elders had begun to 
see that it was not good policy to press the high 
prerogatives which had been accorded to them. 
Mr. Garrison and his intimate associates, composed 
largely of Quakers, infidels, and other enemies of 
orthodoxy, utterly maddened by national and Church 
pro-slavery action, began to denounce all denomina- 
tions with more violence than their Christian coadju- 
tors deemed expedient. They also brought their 
"woman's rights "and Quakerish peculiarities into the 
meetings, and objected to opening by prayer unless 
somebody was moved to do it without being invited. 
The Methodist Church was -especially characterized 
as a nest of unclean birds, and a brotherhood of 
thieves." No religious man would consent to listen 
to such unmeasured abuse, and the New England 
Conference Antislavery Society discarded them by 

38 



450 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



formal vote. They finally succeeded in driving off 
Church people generally, who organized other socie- 
ties, to be conducted on Christian principles. 

We refer to this as a matter of history, and not 
to disparage any one, especially Mr. Garrison, whom 
we always regarded as a very sincere man, of much 
force of character. However we differed with him 
at the time, it was all buried and forgotten in the 
noble stand he took during the Rebellion and 
afterward. 

SECESSIOXAL INDICATIONS. 

At the opening of the year 1840 a new anti- 
slavery paper appeared in Lowell, IMassachusetts, 
edited by Revs. J. Horton and O. Scott, called TJie 
American Wesleyan Observer. Its ostensible object 
was to publish the doings of the approaching General 
Conference, and it proposed to continue but six 
months. But its principal design was, probably, to 
discuss questions of Church polity, growing out of 
the antislavery controversy, in a more radical manner 
than would be allowed in Zioii s Herald. Its course 
soon alienated many of its early friends, and left it 
to be supported by those who preferred secession to 
continued connection with a Church hopelessly in- 
volved in slavery. 

Legacies of slaves to Churches and other Christian 
institutions being reported about that time, brought 
up the question whether we could innocently co- 
operate with slave-holders in our denominational 
benevolences, as we had done. Mr. Scott and some 
others thought not, and proposed the formation of a 
separate Missionary Society, to be managed by our- 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



selves. The writer and others opposed the measure, 
as necessarily leading to secession and a new Church. 
But Mr. Scott was no policy man. He followed his 
own judgment, irrespective of the opinions of his best 
friends. Accordingly, he brought the subject before 
the Antislavery Society at the Lowell Conference of 
1840, but failed to get the measure indorsed. This 
alienated him from many of his brethren, and he pro- 
jected a convention, to be held in New York the 
ensuing October, w^here he also failed of his object. 
He then called the friends of the movement together, 
and carried it into effect ; but it accomplished very 
little, except to prepare the way for the secession, 
which was fast approaching. 

We can not even name all the exciting issues of 
this period. Slavery was slowly losing its power in 
Congress. Johnson's gag law passed by a majority 
of only six, whereas Pinckney's passed four years 
before by a majority of fifty-eight. The Birney and 
Tappan wing of the American and Massachusetts 
Societies were leaning more toward political action. 
All these things operated to produce caution, and 
imposed upon loyal Methodists the tax of defending 
themselves against the assaults of leading abolitionists, 
as well as against slave-holders and their apologists. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 84O. 

The General Conference of 1840 met at Balti- 
more, and indorsed the administration of the bishops, 
though it had been diverse — putting motions on the 
vexed question in the South, and refusing to do so 
elsewhere. But Rev. S. Comfort, a Northern man, 
must needs appeal from a decision of the Missouri 



452 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Conference, which condemned his administration in 
allowing the testimony of a negro against a white 
man in a Church trial. The case was duly argued, 
and. the appeal was sustained, virtually saying that 
he did right. This was a bombshell in the camp of 
the majority, and they threatened a division of the 
Church, as usual. But after brooding over the sub- 
ject for nearly two weeks. Dr. Ignatius A. Few 
offered the following soothing resolution, which was 
adopted : 

''Resolved, That it is inexpedient and unjustifiable 
for any preacher among us to permit colored persons 
to give testimony against white persons in any State 
where they are denied that privilege in trials at law." 

Seeing the injurious effect which this resolution 
would produce in the North, great efforts were made 
to reconsider it; but the South would not consent. 
So, an attempt was made to neutralize it by another; 
but it was too late — the mischief had been done. 

SECESSION COMPLETED, AND ITS EARLY EFFECTS. 

Mr. Scott was discouraged. The ncAV doctrine of 
episcopal authority disaffected many with our govern- 
ment, and some left quietly and went to other 
'Churches. Not a few held on, moaning, "There is 
no hope." In the mean time, the Garrisonians de- 
nounced us, and called upon our members to come 
out of the Church, and be separate. November 8, 
1842, it was reported that Rev. Jotham Horton, 
Orange Scott, and La Roy Sunderland, had with- 
drawn, and were about to start a new Church. 
Another paper soon appeared, called TJie Tnie 
Wesleyan, developing the grand scheme, declaring 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



453 



Methodist abolition to be dead, and calling upon all 
true abolitionists to rally to the new standard. 

To show that we were still alive, an antislavery 
convention was held at Bromfield Street, Boston, 
January i8, 1843, which denounced slavery in regular 
orthodox terms; but, at the same time, contrary to 
the intentions of the movers in it, it avowed some of 
the cardinal sentiments of the seceders. Mr. Scott 
was delighted, and The Chnstian Advocate made it 
the occasion of another outpouring upon abolitionists. 
The movers were mortified, and lost nearly all faith 
in man. But the convention did good by reassuring 
the people that there was no abatement of our anti- 
slavery zeal. 

This gave a new aspect to the controversy. Till 
near this time, the question of an antislavery seces- 
sion had not been openly debated. An intention to 
secede had been charged upon the party, but had 
been unequivocally denied, except, perhaps, by a 
few, who spake with less apparent concern about an 
event of that nature. "They could not tell what 
would take place, but they had not determined on 
any such step as yet." But, after a while, they be- 
gan to teach the sinfulness of maintaining Church re- 
lations with a denomination which countenanced 
slavery ; that there was no hope of reforming the 
Church ; and to give other unmistakable intimations 
of alienation and radical intentions. But here they 
were met. Those who had been with them in the 
heat of the battle, loved the Church, notwithstanding 
her tardiness, and would not cherish the thought of 
dissolving their connection with her. Nor would 
they allow the party they had co-operated with in 



454 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



good faith for the extinction of slavery to run off, or 
bring in divisional questions, without resistance. 

Thus, the antislavery ranks became much divided, 
on these and collateral questions, into loyal and rad- 
ical parties, both of which contended earnestly for 
their respective views and modes of operation. But 
the wheels of the radicals dragged heavily. The new 
issue, which they were endeavoring to make, and the 
project they had evidently undertaken, depreciated 
their influence among their antislavery friends, and 
left them little hope of regaining their former stand- 
ing in the conference ; whereupon, the leading spirits 
seemed to adjust themselves to their unfortunate con- 
dition, and watch the developments of time. 

From this time ZioJi s Herald was fully open to 
the new issues, and did good service. Church offi- 
cials became quite conciliatory, and annual and quar- 
terly conferences were allowed to say about Avhat 
they pleased, while many who had stood aloof 
dropped into line to oppose secession, if not slavery. 
Mr. Scott worked hard, and died too soon for so 
able a man. Mr. Sunderland went into Mesmerism, 
repudiating most of his Methodistic views ; and Mr. 
Horton, with many others, returned to the Church. 
The secession was a sad affair, and caused many evils; 
and yet it now seems to have been almost necessary 
to the grand consummation of liberty to the captives. 

We speak of these circumstances with painful 
recollections. These men were our friends and elder 
brethren. We stood with them in the ver}' heat of 
the conflict, and loved them as our own life. They 
were good men and strong ; they meant right, and 
they did right in many particulars. But they thought 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS, 455 

themselves injured, and it grieved them to the heart — 
perhaps enraged them — and they could not endure 
it. That others would have done better in their sit- 
uation is not certain. The movement was, to some 
extent, successful. Several preachers, with a consid- 
erable number of lay members, withdrew, and united 
in the formation of a new Church, which they 
were pleased to christen "The Wesleyan Methodist 
Church." The loss of numbers and influence to us, 
though considerable, was not the greatest evil con- 
nected with the affair. The bitter discussions, and 
the division of young and feeble societies, unavoidably 
connected with the outbreak, were most to be depre- 
cated. However, the contest was carried on with as 
little asperity, and with as few evil consequences, as 
could have been expected, every thing considered. 
The lines of demarkation were soon drawn, and the 
controversy passed away to swell the history of hu- 
man infirmities. 

The Wesleyans took high ground against slavery, 
eschewing all bishops and presiding elders, supplying 
their places by presidents of conferences, stationing 
committees, and chairmen of districts. In doctrine, 
and in most other respects, they have adhered pretty 
closely to their old principles. They have a Book 
Concern in Syracuse, New York, a missionary so- 
ciety, and the other et ccetcra usually connected with 
such establishments. M^y who left the Church, at 
first, have returned, not having succeeded in the new 
enterprise as they anticipated. It is their opinion 
that the old Church is the least objectionable, espe- 
cially since the separation of the South ; but some 
are of a different opinion, The American Wesleyan 



456 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



Methodists, which is their proper title, claim 2$o 
traveling preachers, and 20,000 members. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 844. 

This body met in Greene Street Church, in the 
city of New York, under peculiar circumstances. 
The Southern conferences were growing more and 
more sensitive and exacting with regard to slavery, 
and the Northern and Eastern conferences were in a 
state of revolution, some having already seceded, and 
others inclined to follow them should there be no 
change in the temper of the General Conference 
toward them. The body was divided into three 
classes, consisting of about fifty-six delegates, who 
were ready to indorse and defend slavery as it existed 
in the South; thirty who would condemn and cripple 
it by all reasonable means ; and some eighty-five who 
wished to maintain the long-established Discipline 
and usages of the Church on the subject. Agitation 
was inevitable. 

In the first place, there was an appeal from the 
decision of the Baltimore Conference, by Francis A. 
Harding, implicating him on account of his connec- 
tion with slavery. The Southern delegates rallied to 
his support, and the case was ably argued by Rev. 
William A. Smith, of Virginia, for the appellant, 
and Rev. John A. Collins for the conference, and 
decided in favor of the conference and against slavery 
by a vote of one hundred and seventeen to fifty-six. 
This was an important step in the right direction. 

Next came the case of Bishop Andrew, who had 
become slightly connected with the "great evil" 
by marriage. This, too, was long and eloquently 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS, 



457 



argued, almost entirely by Southern and middle 
men, and it was decided "that he desist from the 
exercise of his office so long as this impediment 
remains." This was adopted by a vote of one 
hundred and ten to sixty-eight, and was another 
right step in compliance with antislavery petitions. 
The third great point specifically deprecated, 
related to the Few resolution, passed in 1840, pro- 
nouncing it ''unjustifiable for any preacher among 
us to permit colored persons to give testimony 
against white, persons, " etc. It was asked that this 
be rescinded, wdiich, after another struggle, was 
done by a vote of one hundred and fifteen to forty 
against it. 

These and other matters held the conference in 
session some six weeks, during which time the abo- 
litionists w^ere treated to many hard speeches, partic- 
ularly from the South; but they were abused by no 
formal action of the body, and kept their temper. 

The Southern delegates were greatly offended, 
and asked to be set off into a separate Church, 
which the conference had no power to do. They 
finally obtained the passage of a paper, reported by 
the committee of "nine," designed to meet an emer- 
gency which they feared would take place on their 
return home, and improperly called since the "Plan 
of Separation." Assuming to act on this paper, the 
Southern conferences separated, in 1845, ^i^d organ- 
ized the Metjiodist Episcopal Church South, taking 
with them most of the slave-holding States, embracing 
nearly 500,000 members and a corresponding num- 
ber of preachers, and obtained afterward by law their 
pro rata proportion of our connectional property. 

39 



458 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



This was justly regarded by politicians, at the 
time, as the entering wedge to the dissolution of the 
Union, Avhich had long been sought by John C. Cal- 
houn and other extremists of the South. The ]\Ieth- 
odist Episcopal Church, having a powerful influence 
in the South and a highly conservative element in 
the North, had held the nation together for many 
years, giving herself and others an opportunity to 
Christianize the slaves and prepare them for freedom, 
and to abolitionize the North — to be ready to resist 
the mad scheme of dissolution when it should be 
undertaken, and proclaim liberty to the captives. 
Thus, by fidelity to principle, the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church sacrificed more than one-third of its ter- 
ritory, membership, and property, while most other 
Churches sacrificed nothing comparatively, having 
no organic connection with the slave-holding States. 
We say this, not to blame them, but to show the 
different circumstances in which Northern Method- 
ists were placed, and the objects they unconsciously 
served in preparing the way for the inevitable re- 
bellion. 

THE SEPARATION OF THE SOUTH OPPOSED. 

The General Conference having adjourned, the 
annual conferences commenced to hold their ses- 
sions, beginning with the New York Conference, 
two days after. The paper adopted by the General 
Conference, before mentioned, had to be submitted 
to the annual conferences for confirmation, with re- 
gard to the alteration of the sixth restrictive rule of 
the Discipline, providing for a division of the prop- 
erty of the Book Concern with the South, should 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



459 



they separate, as they might be forced by pubhc 
feehng to do. The New York Conference gave its 
approval at once, and the others would probably 
have done the same, but for the intervention of Dr. 
Elliott, editor of the Western Christian Advocate, and 
other distinguished loyalists to the Church, who as- 
sailed the action of the General Conference in the 
premises, and took strong ground against the altera- 
tion of the rule, so as to defeat the project of sepa- 
ration; and they succeeded in defeating the change 
of the rule, but not the separation, and thus entailed 
on the Church a disgraceful and expensive lawsuit, 
which cost the Book Concern a good share of its 
property. 

Some of them went further than this, and de- 
clared great love to the Southern brethren, and 
assured them that abolitionism was dying out and 
would not be likely to trouble them any more, 
and they had better hold fast to the Church; but 
abolitionists were not pleased with this policy, first, 
because it was false in its statements; and, secondly, 
they were satisfied that a separation of some sort 
must take place, and they preferred that the South 
should leave rather than secede themselves. One of 
them, therefore, wrote an article cahed Things as 
They Are," which was published in Zio7i s Herald, 
with a considerable number of signatures, giving all 
parties to understand that abolition was in full force. 
This touched Dr. Elliott in a tender place, and he 
fell upon the writer with great violence, but refused 
to allow him to reply in his paper to the extent of 
one word, an injustice which he afterward confessed 
privately; but the South made good use of the article, 



46o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



believing it to be true, as it really was, and it helped 
them to carry out their project of independency. 
(See Quarterly Review for April, 1871, pp. 234-250.) 

OTHER GENERAL CONFERENCES. 

Our next opportunity to express a sentiment on 
the subject officially, occurred at the General Con- 
ference, in 1848, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Dr. 
Lovick Pierce, a gentleman of unquestionable piety 
and ability, appeared there as a delegate from the 
Church South, asking for fraternization. This was a 
dangerous point, but was passed without damage. 
The conference declined the overture, and no frater- 
nal intercourse was authorized during the existence 
of slavery. It would have been suicidal for the 
North to have entered into any such alliance. The 
General Conference at Boston, in 1852, did little 
more on the subject than to receive and refer peti- 
tions. There was, however, an exciting scene near 
the close of the session, growing out of some loving 
remarks, hopefully anticipating a reunion with the 
South. It created a momentary storm, and gave 
abolitionists to see that their work was not done, 
and inspired them for the successful contest of 1856. 
We call it successful, because the subject had a fair 
consideration and the conference adopted antislavery 
measures, though it failed to exclude slavery in all 
its parts from the Church by changing the General 
Rule. This was, however, done in 1864. 

ERRORS AND SINS OVERRULED BY PROVIDENCE. 

In looking at this long-continued controversy, we 
find it every-where marked by human infirmity, to 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



say the least of it. We are not much disposed 
to sit in judgment on the parties involved. None 
of them can take great credit to themselves. If 
abolitionists had been brought up in the South, they 
would probably have acted much as Southerners did, 
and vice versa; but it is pleasant to see that even 
our most exceptionable conduct was overruled by 
an all-wise Providence to promote emancipation. 
Southern Methodists regarded their separation from 
the Church as a wonderful achievement in favor 
of peace and the perpetuity of slavery. Southern 
politicians considered their various triumphs in Con- 
gress in passing gag-laws, breaking down the Mis- 
souri Compromise, annexing Texas, and enforcing 
the Fugitive Slave Law as so many strong supports 
to their "peculiar institution;" and yet they all con- 
tributed to destroy it. So of the objectionable en- 
actments of the Southern and General Conferences. 
Every one of them operated to undermine the very 
thing they were intended to conserve and perpetuate. 

But nobody understood their bearings at the time, 
and it is well they did not. Abolitionists did not 
kill slavery. That was done by slave-holders, their 
apologists and defenders. Slavery was unfortunately 
intrenched in the government and feeling of the coun- 
try; and, had its special guardians been content with 
the many advantages they enjoyed over the free 
States, they might have perpetuated it and ruled 
the country as they did when they had Congress 
and the courts in their own hands. It was their 
grasping after more territory, and undertaking to 
''marshal their slaves at the foot of Bunker Hill," 
so to speak, that ruined them. They were deter- 



462 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



mined to be recognized, and have the free run of all 
the States and territories, unmolested by abolition- 
ists; hence, they imperiously called upon Northern 
legislatures to make laws to gag their own constitu- 
ents and deliver them over to the tender mercies of 
the slave-power. 

We were present when they were hunting Burns, 
and had a chain around Boston Court-house to 
protect their claims. The insult offered to that city 
was deeply felt, and might easily enough have de- 
veloped into a mob; but abolitionists said, "No, 
this will do good;" and it did. It inspired the 
prompt response of New England to the subsequent 
call for soldiers to put down the Rebellion, to say 
nothing more. It is strange that oppressors can not 
learn that there is a limit to human endurance. 

While we claim little credit for any class of men in 
freeing the nation from this foul blot, believing that 
God largely controlled them all, and turned their 
sins and blunders to good account, we can not con- 
ceal the conviction that the Methodist Episcopal 
Church exerted a powerful influence in favor of the 
grand achievement. A few particulars bearing upon 
this point will close the discussion. 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS. 

It is a singular fact that the same year the May- 
floiver landed at Plymouth (A. D. 1620) a Dutch 
ship sailed into the James River with twenty African 
slaves, thus giving slavery and liberty an even start 
in the country. When Methodism sung its first 
hymn on these shores, A. D. 1766, slavery was 
one hundred and forty-six years old, and numbered 



ABOLITION MO VEMENTS. 



4^3 



about five hundred thousand African subjects. With 
its first utterances Methodism denounced holding 
human beings as property a great sin, to be avoided. 
Going South, it rebuked the masters and sympathized 
with the slaves, and was early mobbed for both. 
Being especially intent on saving men of all classes 
and conditions, it urged masters and servants to 
repent and come to Christ. Many did so. But 
when slave-holders became alarmed, and preferred no 
preaching to an antislavery Gospel, and the preachers 
saw that they must deal more tenderly with the 
subject or be forbidden to preach to the slaves, they 
modified their course so as to retain their position, 
and do what they could for all parties. 

It is also important to be borne in mind that the 
slaves at that time were in the most degraded condi- 
tion, having lately been stolen from the wilds of 
Africa. It was cheaper to keep up the supply in 
this way than by ''raising" them, and this policy 
prevailed until 1808, when the African slave-trade 
was legally (not practically) abolished. Slaves were 
regarded by their owners as property, like horses, 
and treated with less consideration, and herded to- 
gether promiscuously, more like beasts than human 
beings. This view of their condition is fully con- 
firmed by ample testimony from both friends and 
foes of the race. 

EFFORTS TO CHRISTIANIZE THE SLAVES. 

How the labors of our Church to Christianize and 
civilize the slaves succeeded, may be inferred from 
the minutes of the conferences, which began to 
report colored members separately in 1786. The 



464 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



first report showed their number to be 1,890. In 
1793 they had increased to 16,227, amounted to 
more than one-quarter of our entire membership. 
In 1824 they were reported at 48,096, and in 1845, 
the last report made to our Church from the South, 
they numbered 150,120, nearly one-seventh of our 
entire Church. The next year the minutes show 
but 30,515 colored members, indicating that nearly 
119,605 of those reported the year before were 
slaves, and had separated from us with the Church 
South. 

This work had Ijeen carried on for fifty years by 
the regular ministers, and our colored members had 
come to number nearly forty thousand before our 
Missionaiy Society was formed, in 1819, when the 
Church commenced to send missionaries among the 
slaves. Our missionary collections had averaged, sev- 
eral years before the separation, from ^132,000 to 
^146,000 per annum, from which liberal appropria- 
tions had been made for the conversion and elevation 
of the slaves. 

Thus our Church was long at work preparing the 
slaves for freedom before modern abolitionism was 
born, and it continued in it with increasing activity till 
the breaking out of the Rebellion, collecting and 
expending hundreds of thousands of dollars for their 
special benefit. 

OTHER IMPORTANT FACTS. 

Let us look at the subject in another of its as- 
pects. The territorial laws of Indiana were largely 
in sympathy with slavery and the South. \Mien 
Illinois was set off, it carried these offensive laws 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS, 



465 



with it, and it required much effort to get them re- 
pealed, and better ones enacted. In 1818 it adopted 
a constitution exckiding slavery. But when Missouri 
was admitted a slave State, two years after, a plot 
was formed to change the Constitution of Illinois, 
and make that also a slave State. The measure was 
carried through the Legislature, by dint of rascality 
and rowdyism, so far as to approve of a convention 
for the purpose; but when it came to go before the 
people, it was defeated by more than two thousand 
votes. Methodist preachers were every-where, as 
usual, and took strong ground against the change, 
stumping the State as ministers and Christian politi- 
cians, and visiting from house to house, creating 
public sentiment against the measure. Some of 
them fared hard, being shamefully abused; but they 
fought bravely, and had the credit of saving the 
State to liberty. 

Similar attempts were made in California and 
Kansas; but our preachers were in these territo- 
ries also, with true Wesleyan hostility to the ex- 
tension of the ''great evil," and bravely entered the 
political arena with might and main, and triumphed. 
We have not room for the particulars, which would 
more than confirm these statements. The country 
owes it to John Wesley and his followers that slav- 
ery was not in the ascendant in this country long 
ago. Following the early settlers in our Western 
territories, with Mr. Wesley's burning "Thoughts 
on Slavery" in their saddle-bags, for sale, Methodist 
preachers created a public sentiment against the 
abomination that could not be overcome, and gave 
freedom to the new States. 



466 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



When a few Quakers and others began to breathe 
aloud against slavery, in 1828, they were promptly 
greeted by a certain part of the Church as fellow- 
laborers. Northern Methodists did a great work in 
creating a public conscience on the subject, that 
should demand the liberation of the slaves in the 
coming emergency, and fight out the Rebellion "on 
this line."' 

Again, the slaves coming to this country from 
pagan Africa, where they ran naked and wild, it is 
not wonderful that they were accounted an inferior 
race, forming a connecting link between men and 
monkeys. Had nothing been done to elevate them, 
this error would have been current to-day. But, 
giving them the Gospel, they opened their eyes to 
a new life, and assumed the decencies of civilization. 
Many of them manifested intellect, genius, and moral 
excellence that were remarkable. They became 
teachers, preachers, and especially exemplars of Gos- 
pel purity. The hero of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 
whom we had the pleasure of entertaining before he 
became so famous, and regarded as a grand specimen 
of nobility, was only one among hundreds of his 
class. Then, there were multitudes of others, equally 
good, who let their light shine wherever they went, 
proving the falsity of the notion that Africans are 
inferior to white people, and the wickedness of treat- 
ing them as property. Many a slave-holder has felt 
ashamed of himself when he witnessed their Cliristian 
deportment, and thought of his relation to them. 
Such specimens of good character have been a stand- 
ing rebuke to the system and to the Government 
which has fostered it. And they were developed by 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



467 



the process of Christianization to which we have 
referred, in which many outside aboHtionists took no 
part whatever. 

Another fact to be taken into account is, that the 
Methodist Episcopal Cliurch has published more 
antislavery books and tracts than any other denom- 
ination, or any general publishing house in the 
country, having begun the work long before the 
modern agitation of the question commenced, in the 
issue of Wesley's ''Thoughts on Slavery." There 
has never been a day since 1780 when these senti- 
ments have not been ringing out from the Methodist 
press, in all the States, North and South. 

The action of our Church in this country is strik- 
ingly analogous to that of the Wesleyans of England. 
A slave-holder in the West Indies, visiting London 
with one or two of his servants, heard Mr. Wesley 
preach, and became converted. Returning home, he 
carried the new religion with him, and proclaimed it 
to his neighbors and friends, as before stated. This 
was the mustard-seed from which the great tree of 
Methodism among the slaves proceeded. At length, 
missionaries were sent out, and the work of lifting up 
that degraded population to the dignity of Christian 
civilization was carried on slowly but surely. The 
missionaries saw the terrible injustice done to the 
poor creatures, but could do or say little to relieve 
them. But the people at home were active, and 
pressed hard for emancipation. Thus, while the mis- 
sionaries were preparing the slaves to enjoy liberty, 
the Churches at home were moving upon Parliament 
to grant it. There, as here, one part of the Church 
went before to prepare the slaves for freedom, and 



468 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



another class remained at home to procure freedom 
for them. And God blessed the efforts of both, and 
emancipation was proclaimed, to the joy of earth and 
heaven, and has proved a benediction to all parties. 

THE MORAL INFLUENCE OF CONFLICTING AGENCIES. 

How little any of us knew in the antislavery con- 
test what we were doing ! The conversion of the 
North to abolition sentiments, and the civilization of 
the slaves, were indispensable. Both required time 
to achieve them. Had the Rebellion come much be- 
fore it did, the slaves would not have been in condi- 
tion to enjoy freedom, nor the North in any state of 
mind to proclaim emancipation, and enforce it. All 
parties, therefore, had a little share in the work. 
Outside abolitionists helped to create the necessary 
public sentiment in the North, in common with 
Methodists and other Christians ; but they did noth- 
ing to elevate the slaves. Methodists, abolitionists, 
and some few others, prepared the slaves for liberty 
in connection with the conservatives, who furnished 
the men to do the work, as abolitionists were not 
popular with the masters. 

And this brings out another point. The conserv- 
atives, whom we used to call pro-slavcTy, much to 
their annoyance, were, to the writer, incomprehen- 
sible. It was a mystery how they could do as they 
did, being so wise and excellent in other respects. 
Nor could we see what possible good could come of 
their tenderness to slave-holders, and bitterness to- 
ward abolitionists. But now that Pro\-idence has 
lifted the veil, it is all plain enough, though not 
morally right or consistent. By apologizing for 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 469 

slavery and flattering the South, they kept off the 
RebelHon for many years, and gave time to complete 
the education that was going on at both ends of the 
line ; namely, among the slaves in the South, and the 
Churches and politicians in the North. So that, in 
God's Providence, they were unconsciously aiding the 
coming deliverance, though it was impossible to see 
it at the time. 

Had the Rebellion come several years sooner, it 
would have succeeded for the want of Northern sen- 
timent and feeling to resist it. Long as it was de- 
layed, many people, and some Avhole States, were 
not ready. New England w^as ready, because it had 
become pretty thoroughly abolitionized, from its chief 
magistrates down to its lowest citizens. Mr. Lincoln 
issued his first proclamation for 75,000 soldiers to 
protect Washington and put down the Rebellion, 
April 15, 1 86 1. On the 17th, two days after, the 
Massachusetts Sixth, the ^ first full regiment that re- 
sponded, started from Boston by railroad. Would 
that city have sprung to the front thirty years before, 
when it mobbed abolitionists; or, several years later, 
when it hunted fugitives at the beck of the South ? 
Not at all. Who composed this death-daring regi- 
ment? Abolitionists. New York, greatly improved 
on this question since 1844, gave them an ovation as 
they marched down its grand Broadway -the next 
morning. 

But on the 19th, Baltimore, still up to her old 
tricks, mobbed, stoned, and shot them, killing some, 
and wounding others, forbidding them to go through 
her streets. Maryland was not yet ready. And 
when they escaped that den of rebels, and were on 



470 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



their way to Washington, their train was fired upon 
from the hills and woods along the line. Abolition 
Pennsylvania soldiers were treated in like manner, 
and had to fight their way through. 

But, thank God, nearly all the free States had 
been abolitionized, and were in the hands of Repub- 
lican Governors, who were ready for action. 

HOW THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH MET THE 
CONFLICT. 

The activity of our people in this terrible emer- 
gency was noticeable at the time. Our denomina- 
tional papers, without an exception, rallied to the 
national cause. The American flag waved from our 
spires and draped our pulpits, during our conferences 
and on other public occasions. Men rushed from our 
Churches, colleges, and schools, leaving some of them 
quite depleted. The immortal Lincoln often spoke 
of it with gratitude. In response to the address of 
the General Conference of 1864, he said: 

Nobly sustained as the Government has been by 
all the Churches, I would utter nothing which might 
in the least appear invidious against any. Yet, with- 
out this, it may fairly be said that the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, not less devoted than the best, is, 
by its greater numbers, the most important of all. It 
is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends 
more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hos- 
pitals, and more prayers to heaven, than any. God 
bless the Methodist Church ! God bless all the 
Churches ! Blessed be God, who, in this our great 
trial, giveth us the Churches!" 

We have recorded these thoughts, not to boast — 



ABOLITION MOVEMENTS. 



for boasting is excluded — but to give the Gospel and 
the Church their proper place among the agencies 
which God has employed to relieve our glorious 
country from the cruel system of inhumanity which 
was fastened upon it in its infancy by foreign hands, 
and which was wickedly nursed by the nation itself into 
gigantic proportions ; also, and particularly, to sug- 
gest to the coming historian that the subject admits 
of a deeper, broader, and juster philosophy than ap- 
pears in the hurried productions of those who claim 
to have given it a proper presentation. The ijames 
of the chief actors in the scenes have been purposely 
omitted, as far as possible, as it is no part of our in- 
tention to praise or blame any one. 



4/2 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER XII. 



THE EFFECT OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 844 HOW 

OPPOSED ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL 

CHURCH SOUTH THE COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL 

CHURCH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 848 DEATH OF 

BISHOP HEDDING GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 85 2 NA- 
TIONAL MAGAZINE — STATE OF THE CHURCH GENERAL 

CONFERENCE OF 1 85 6 A NEW COURT PROVIDED FOR 

A STEP TOWARD RITUALISM. 



HE effect of the action of the General Confer- 



J- ence of 1844 was what might have been ex- 
pected. It neutrahzed the secessional movement 
among abohtionists, being more antislavery than was 
anticipated. The administration of the bishops that 
followed was equally satisfactory, no further prohibi- 
tion of conference action being attempted. 

But when it was seen that the South was going to 
take advantage of the action had in their case and 
organize another Church, many demurred, and threw 
every possible obstacle in their way ; but it was of no 
use. They were determined to go, and the writer 
thought it best, all things considered, and voted to 
give them their proportion of our connectional prop- 
erty, and urged others to do the same, both by pen 
and speech, and has never regretted it for one mo- 
ment. They left because they did not agree with the 
Church, and have since managed to suit themselves. 
If they have been a little tart, it is not remarkable— 




DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



473 



they were that before. And, considering the circum- 
stances, it required more grace than falls to the lot 
of most men to have been otherwise. 

The facts about the separation, in few words, 
are as follows: June 3, 1844, after the action had in 
the case of Bishop Andrew, Dr. Capers presented a 
paper to the conference, proposing arrangements for 
the division of the Church into two General Confer- 
ences, which was referred to a committee of nine. 
The committee regarded the proposition as prepos- 
terous, there being no provision in the Discipline for 
such division, and the project fell dead. Two days 
after. Dr. Longstreet presented another paper, signed 
by fifty-one Southern delegates, declaring that the 
action had in regard to slavery and Bishop Andrew 
"must produce a state of things in the South which 
renders a continuance of the jurisdiction of this Gen- 
eral Conference over these conferences inconsistent 
with the success of the ministry in the slave-holding 
States." This was also referred to a select committee 
of nine. The next day came a protest, declaring 
"the South can not submit, and the absolute neces- 
sity of division is already dated." Separation had 
already been decreed by the delegates. The order 
of these proceedings was as follows: i. "The de- 
cision in Mr. Harding's case. May nth. 2. The de- 
cision in Bishop Andrew's case. May 30th. 3. Dr. 
Capers's resolutions for the division of the Church, 
and their failure, June 3d. 4. The declaration of the 
Southern delegates, June 5th. 5. The report of the 
Committee of Nine, June 8th." (Great Secession, 
p. 332.) 

This report was strictly provisional, looking to the 
40 



474 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



contingency of a separation of the Southern Confer- 
ences, purely at their ozvii suggestion and on their 
ozvn responsibihty, and without authority from the 
General Conference ; for it had already been settled 
that the General Conference possessed no authority 
to divide the Church in the manner proposed. Here 
the matter ended, so far as the General Conference 
was concerned, and the Southern Conferences took 
the responsibility of all that followed. 

Or, to State the case more fully, the South said: 
"We can not live under these circumstances; we shall 
be driven from our fields, and the souls committed 
to our care will perish. What shall we do ? Sup- 
pose, on getting home, we should find it indispeitsa- 
ble to separate, how will the General Conference 
view us? How shall we be treated? Shall there be 
friendly relations, and an amicable settlement of the 
property question; or shall we be viewed as ene- 
mies?" Middle men were anxious to accommodate, 
and Eastern men were fearful of the consequences 
of not doing so; for it was already under contempla- 
tion to reconsider Bishop Andrew's case, and lay it 
over four years, agreeably to the recommendation of 
the board of bishops, unless something conciliatory 
should be done. It was an exciting moment, and 
great men Avere at their wits' end to know what to do. 

Finally the committee agreed upon a plan to 
meet the anticipated emergency, and reported it to 
the conference. It was not all they could wish, but 
it was the best they could devise, and it was favora- 
bly received. Southern delegates were greatly re- 
lieved, and submitted to the rescinding of Few's 
colored testimony resolution, passed four }'ears before, 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



475 



with remarkable composure; and the conference 
was permitted to leave New York without the honor 
of being mobbed, as it was tremblingly feared they 
would be, and without /^/^doing the work it ha.d un- 
expectedly wrought, in the several particulars before 
mentioned. 

Whether the conference acted the prudent part 
in this measure is seriously questioned. Some, who 
were foremost in getting the plan through, have 
deeply regretted it since. Northern men, generally, 
who favored it, did so purely to avoid what they 
regarded a greater and insupportable evil. To have 
left Bishop Andrew in the full exercise of episco- 
pal powers at that time, would have scattered our 
Churches to the winds; and that, it w^as believed on 
good authority, would have been the result of pre- 
venting the adoption of this or some similar plan of 
conciliation. Indeed, we only escaped, as it was; a 
circumstance which should never be forgotton in treat- 
ing of the action of New England men in the prem- 
ises. Our choice was between having a slave-holding 
bishop, the transfer of our Churches to Wesleyanism, 
so called, or a general New Englanei secession, on the 
one hand ; and acquiescence in a plan, some features 
of which we did not approve, but could not get 
altered, either in the committee, or in the conference, 
on the other. We preferred the latter. It seemed to 
us better to be the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
united and at peace, than to be a distracted limb of 
it, or separate, however harmoniously, and let the 
South hold the old title, and the perquisites con- 
nected therewith. And if they had a mind to 
take the responsibility of separating, we were not 



476 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

disposed to demur, to treat them discourteously, or to 
withhold from them anything that they could lawfully 
claim, and the Church lawfully bestow. Hence, we 
concurred in the plan, though not satisfied with it, 
and the South has taken all the advantage of it pos- 
sible to become an independent body, and adjust 
themselves to what tJiey regarded the necessities of 
their situation. For one, the writer can not regret 
it. Had they remained in the Church, there must 
have been an endless controversy, to very little 
purpose. 

But whether this action was wise or not, the 
annual conferences failed to indorse it, and the South 
infracted its express and implied conditions to such 
an extent that the General Conference of 1848 pro- 
nounced it ''null and void," and have not rescinded 
that action since. 

We refer to the subject only as a mere matter of 
histoiy, and not to censure either party. It was a 
part of the complicated machinery employed by 
Providence to "extirpate" the ''great evil" of 
American slavery, and had its influence on that 
grand consummation. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH ORGANIZED. 

May I, 1845, the delegates of fourteen Southern 
conferences, met at Louisville, Kentucky, and pro- 
ceeded to organize a new Church, which they denom- 
inated, "The Methodist Episcopal Church South." 
Bishops Andrew and Soule gave their assent to the 
measure, and were recognized as bishops. A new 
Discipline was arranged, retaining our doctrines and 
economy, except in regard to slavery, and some 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



477 



governmental questions not of much practical impor- 
tance, and the conferences were called upon to rally 
to the new standard, and many did so, claiming 
that slavery is sustained by the Bible, and is not 
a moral evil. 

We are not able to state the exact number of 
our ministers or people who were transferred to the 
Church South by the action of the convention, or 
by their own ; but the minutes show that we had in 
1844, 4,621 traveling preachers; 8,087 local preach- 
ers; and 1,171,356 members; and in 1847, when 
the Southern organization had become very nearly 
complete, we were reduced to 3,642 traveling 
preachers; 4,913 local preachers; and 631,558 mem- 
bers; showing a loss of 979 traveling preachers; 
3,174 local preachers; and 539,798 members, over 
and above any gain that we made in the loyal 
conference. 

This separation made a similar draft upon the 
connectional property of the Church. The General 
Conference not having authority to divide this prop- 
erty without the constitutional consent of the annual 
conferences, which was asked for by the before men- 
tioned report of the Committee of Nine, but not 
granted, the Church South sued for an equitable 
proportion of it, and, after a long and expensive con- 
test, carried their point, and received as follows : 
From New York, ^190,000 in cash, together with 
the Richmond, Charleston, and Nashville printing 
establishments, and all debts due to the concern, from 
individuals residing within the geographical limits of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South. From Cin- 
cinnati the sum of ;^8o,ooo, and all debts due from 



4/8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



persons living in the Southern States. Besides this, 
we had to pay the taxable costs of both suits. 

THE PRESENT STATE OF THE CHURCH SOUTH. 

The Church South reports for 1875, eight bishops; 
3,485 traveling preachers; 5,356 local preachers; and 
712,765 members; including 3,489 colored members, 
and 4,779 Indians. It has, also, 7,204 Sunday- 
schools, embracing 328,634 scholars. It further re- 
ports ^101,953.46 raised last year for missions. 
These figures indicate a respectable increase, and 
promise well for the future, especially when we con- 
sider that they have dismissed most of their colored 
members, who have united, under their advice and 
influence, to form ''The Colored Methodist Episcopal 
Church," whose numbers we shall soon record. 
They have also a Book Concern at Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, a Missionary Society, and nearly all the 
appliances of the old Church, and publish several 
periodicals. 

These divisions caused much disturbance between 
Northern and Southern Methodists. IMany societies 
were divided, sometimes one party taking the prop- 
erty, and sometimes the other. And other differ- 
ences of a similar character may occur, but it is to be 
hoped that they will be more than counterbalanced 
by the healthy competition which they shall inspire. 
The tendency of the times is to fraternization. 
Though the two bodies may never become organic- 
ally reunited, they can, and should maintain friendly 
relations, as the Methodist Episcopal Church ever 
has done with the Wesleyans of England and Canada. 
What was impossible fifteen years ago without the 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



479 



sacrifice of moral principle, U'ill be quite practicable 
so soon as the parties concerned can conquer their 
prejudices. And they will reach that point some 
day, we think, when there will be an interchange of 
ministerial service, such as now prevails among the 
conferences of both bodies. But it is not wise to 
hurry the matter. Fraternity can not be produced 
by votes. Time, and friendly recognition, will 
need little help to effect all that is desirable in this 
direction. 

THE COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This body, as before hinted, is an offshoot from the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South, and v/as organ- 
ized under its auspices, from prudential considera- 
tions, December i6, 1872. In 1874, it reported foitr- 
tee7i conferences, 635 traveling, and 683 local preach- 
ers; and 67,883 lay n:iembers. This arrangement 
accommodates the prejudice against color in both 
races, and allows them to keep respectfully apart; 
and it may have other advantages which we do not 
now comprehend. "God bless them all," we be- 
lieve, is the honest prayer of their Northern brethren 
generally. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I 848. 

This body convened in Pittsburg, Pennyslvania, 
representing 780 traveling preachers, and 532,290 
members less than the Church numbered four years 
before — a sad loss, solely attributable to the separa- 
tion of the South. Our missionary and other collec - 
tions had also suffered, but not to the same degree. 
The Book Concern remained intact, the question of 



48o 



HIST OR Y OF METHODISM. 



Southern claims not being settled. The Church 
South appeared before the conference by its dele- 
gates, asking for settlement, and for fraternal recog- 
nition, but they were not received. A resolution, 
adopted in 1840 in subserviency to slavery, was re- 
scinded, which was about all that was done directly 
in relation to the subject. Still, it was ever present, 
and largely controlled in home matters, not involving 
the Church South. Abolitionists, however, did suc- 
ceed, by skillful and persistent engineering, in electing 
Rev. Abel Stevens editor of the Christian Advocate^ 
in place of Dr. Bond. Not that Mr. Stevens was 
one with them, for he never claimed any such rela- 
tion, but in hope that he would treat them, and the 
subject, more fairly than Dr. Bond had done. But 
this was lost labor, as Mr. Stevens, for reasons best 
known to himself, resigned, and the office was trans- 
ferred to Dr. George Peck. . 

This conference, too, radically changed the arrange- 
ment of the Discipline, as it did some of its rules, 
and Dr. C. Elliott was appointed to write the history 
of the quadrennium, which resulted in the issue of 
of his mammoth volume, entitled the ' ' The Great 
Secession," a valuable book, abounding in documents 
relative to slavery, abolition, and their concomitants, 
and, singular as it may seem, in unutterable hatred 
to both. 

Dr. Dixon, a most able and genial minister of 
the British Conference, was present, and ably repre- 
sented that body, and Bishop Hedding was invited 
to reciprocate the courtesy, if his health would allow 
of it, which he failed to do. The conference ad- 
journed after a pleasant session of one month with 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



five bishops, eight colleges, thirty-four seminaries, 
and thirty-one conferences, having lost iiifie by the 
separation of the South. 

The four years following were characterized by 
the usual variety of toil and conflict, creating 
hopes and fears incident to every period, but still 
affording gratifying results. Our net increase was 
672 traveling preachers, and 89,634 members, with 
corresponding improvement in other departments of 
interest. 

DEATH OF BISHOP HEDDING. 

The melancholy event of this quadrennium was 
the death of the venerable Bishop Hedding, which 
occurred at his home, in Poughkeepsie, New York, 
April 9, 1852. He was a remarkable man, sincerely 
pious and devout, loving and kind to every body, 
and about the grandest specimen of a bishop that 
could well be imagined. We heartily indorse the 
tribute to his memory presented by his bereaved 
colleagues to the General Conference of 1852. They 
said: ^'His end was peaceful, happy, and triumph- 
ant. He sustained the highly responsible office of 
general superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for nearly twenty-eight years. With a strong 
and discriminating mind, busily engaged for so many 
years in acquiring knowledge and wisdom from vari- 
ous sources of literature, science, philosophy, and 
religion, we shall not be regarded as extravagant 
eulogists when we say that he has left few equals in 
the Church; and, take him all in all, no superior 
survives him. With all his greatness, he had the 
simplicity of a child. His amiability, gentleness, 

41 



482 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and kindness endeared him to all with whom he had 
intercourse, from the prattling child to the youth, to 
the middle-aged, and to those of old age and declin- 
ing years. All felt at ease in the society of this 
truly good man, and were delighted with his unpre- 
tending and attractive manners. As a preacher, he 
had many and great excellencies. As an adminis- 
trative officer, he was justly esteemed unrivaled in 
the soundness of his opinions, the earnestness of his 
constitutional views and legal decisions, and the dig- 
nity and urbanity of his manner." (Journal, p. i8i.) 

We may add, he had great faith in the preach- 
ers, and profound sympathy for them in their trials, 
growing out of his noble nature sanctified by grace, 
and his long and severe experience on wild and hard 
circuits and districts before he was made bishop. 
They found in him a brother, and even a father, 
who made their welfare his own, and planned for 
their highest happiness, so far as he could do it con- 
sistently with the cause of God. He never imposed 
burdens on them which Jie had not borne, or en- 
joined a heroism which he had not displayed. If he 
could not gratify their wishes, he would come as 
near it as possible, and never trifle with their feel- 
ings. If he must afflict them, he did it tenderly, sor- 
rowfully, so that they felt that he suffered with them. 

Being stationed at one of his old homes, and 
among the dearest friends of his early ministry, 
where he used to delight to "rest awhile," the 
writer knew him well. He met him in the cabinet, 
too, and in his conflict" with certain abolitionists who 
did not know him, and who therefore questioned his 
integrity; but, in every condition, he was the great 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



483 



and good Bishop Hedding — in error, as we thought, 
on one subject, but not to be the less loved or hon- 
ored. We met him in the General Conference of 
i8zi4, and marked his solicitude. He loved New 
England, the home of his youth and the field of his 
early labors, and pleaded for it when in danger of 
being dishonored by Southern prejudice. Soon after 
the bishops' report, advising the laying over the case 
of Bishop Andrew, was read and laid upon the table, 
he came past the writer's seat, and, giving him a 
tap on the shoulder, said, ''Let me see you a min- 
ute." We followed him to the basement, when he 
asked, with manifest anxiety, **What do you think 
of that advice?" We then read to him certain reso- 
lutions, unanimously adopted, the day before, by all 
the New England delegates, in anticipation of such 
advice, to the effect that, should the case be thus 
laid over, and Bishop Andrew be left a bishop in 
full authority, the only way for the New England 
conferences to prevent being completely broken up 
by the seceders, would be to separate in a body, and 
invite Bishop Hedding to preside over them. These 
resolutions were to have been put into the bishop's 
hands before he should meet his colleagues, but were 
not copied in season ; and the committee feared to 
call him out, lest they should create suspicion, and 
do more hurt than good. On hearing these resolu- 
tions, "O!" said the bishop, ''I am sorry you did 
not bring them;" and, with despair on his counte- 
nance, he added, "That is so, and I will go right 
up and withdraw my name from that paper," which 
he did, saying that he signed it in doubt, hoping 
that it might be for the best; but, from further 



484 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



information which he had received, he felt compelled 
to withdraw his name. That killed the postpone- 
ment, and saved New England. 

For those who have the management and direc- 
tion of preachers and people, Bishop Hedding was a 
model worthy of study and imitation. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF I 85 2. 

The eleventh delegated General Conference met 
in Boston, May ist, and continued in session one 
month. The address of the' bishops was an inter- 
esting vindication of certain fundamental features of 
Methodism, suggesting and even urging the exten- 
sion of the probation of ministers to four years, 
which has not been done yet, and probably Avill not 
be at present. As opportunities for preparation in- 
crease, the necessity foi; extending the probation 
diminishes. 

The same address called attention to the rule 
relating to the location of preachers for unaccepta- 
bility, and, strange to say, suggests its modification 
so as to allow a conference to locate them without a 
formal trial, to save time and embarrassment. (Jour- 
nal, p. 188.) The history of this rule furnishes an 
interesting chapter, which traveling preachers may 
profitably study. 

The conference made quite an impression on 
New England, it being the first one of the kind 
ever held in that quarter. His honor, the mayor of 
Boston, in behalf of the city authorities, invited the 
members of the General Conference to a steamboat 
excursion among the islands of its unparalleled har- 
bor. The invitation was accepted, and the excursion 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 485 

was one of marked interest and pleasure, presenting 
a wide contrast with the reception of Jesse Lee, 
sixty-two years before, who entered the city alone, 
on horseback, unheralded, and preached under the 
old elm on the common for the want of a better 
place, and sought for months, in vain, to improve 
his situation. But the world moves. By faith, the 
walls of Jericho even fell down, after they had 
been long compassed about. Boston was obliged 
to acknowledge a power which its former authori- 
ties sought to ignore, and it was well and hand- 
somely done. 

New England also impressed the conference. 
Middle and Western men, who had never seen 
the '^Hiib'' or its surrounding Methodism, thought 
rather lightly of both, and were not easily convinced 
of their mistake; but they were compelled to con- 
fess that Boston held and practiced some Method- 
istic ^'notions'' that they might profitably adopt. In 
these respects, at least, the conference was a success. 

OF THE BUSINESS TRANSACTED. 

The episcopacy was strengthened, at this con- 
ference, by the election of Levi Scott, Matthew 
Simpson, Edward R. Ames, and Osmon C. Baker. 
The vexed pew question was relieved by rescind- 
ing the rigid old rule requiring free churches, and 
adopting another only giving them the preference. 
(Discipline, par. 496.) The missionary, tract, and 
Sunday-school causes received special attention, and 
Dr. John P. Durbin was made missionary secretary 
in place of Dr. Charles Pitman, whose health failed 
him early in the preceding quadrennium. 



486 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



NATIONAL MAGAZINE AUTHORIZED. 

This conference, under educational pressure, au-, 
thorized the pubHcation of a monthly magazine of 
''current and religious literature," and appointed 
Abel Stevens to edit it. The first number appeared 
the following July, entitled, The National Magazine, 
"devoted to literature, art, and religion;" but it 
never succeeded, for the reason that it attempted to 
cater for the patronage of the general public, as its 
name indicates, and thus forfeited the patronage of 
the Church. Like Cokesbury College, it started too 
early in our history; besides, it was too worldly and 
abstract to command the sympathy of our people. 
After running a race of five years' continuance, and 
wasting untold thousands of the earnings of the 
Book Concern, and still decreasing in circulation, in 
spite of every effort that could be made to sustain 
it, the agents submitted the subject to the book 
committee, in 1857, whose wise advice, looking to- 
ward resuscitation, was carried into effect without 
success. Reporting again to the same committee, in 
February, 1858, they took the matter into careful con- 
sideration, and met again the following June, report- 
ing that Baltimore, Philadelphia, Newark, Troy, Ver- 
mont, New Hampshire, Maine, Providence, Oneida, 
New England, New York, and New York East Con- 
ferences had advised its discontinuance, whereupon 
the committee itself advised it. Remembering that 
the General Conference of 1852 authorized its issue 
on the express condition that it should be ''safe to 
the Concern,'' and that the last General Conference 
had voted to continue it in view of the prospect of 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



487 



an increased circulation sufficient to ''carry it safely 
throiigJi,'" the agents felt obliged to suspend it, and 
did so rather than squander tens of thousands of 
dollars more in printing a work the people would 
not purchase. The contributors, of course, mourned 
its demise, as did some others; but it has never been 
missed or lamented by the masses of our preachers 
or people. 

Methodism is emphatically spiritual and practical. 
So long as we keep within our prescribed range, we 
can cope with the world; but the moment that we 
depart from it to compete with independent publish- 
ers on their particular lines, we fail. Our religion 
will not allow us to furnish the frolic and fun that 
takes with the world, nor are the agents permitted, 
under our system, to procure just that style of edi- 
torial management required by the circumstances of 
such an enterprise. 

OF THE STATE OF THE CHURCH. 

The Church, at that time, was generally at peace, 
except that it was a little sensitive on slavery. The 
border conferences, not being fully delivered from 
that evil, and being in sharp competition with the 
Church South, could not bear to hear much on the 
subject, and abolitionists would not ''wholly refrain" 
from its agitation. Still, the Church enjoyed general 
prosperity. The net increase of 90,246 members in 
four years was encouraging; besides, the last five 
years had improved our Sunday-schools by the addi- 
tion of 32,741 officers and teachers, 552,681 scholars, 
and 652,218 volumes to the libraries. Add to this 
a liberal advance in the contributions to our various 



488 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



benevolences, and the wonderful growth of our edu- 
cational enterprises, and we see much cause for 
thanksgiving; but, what was still more gratifying, 
the Church seemed to grow in spiritual life and 
power. The subject of holiness, which had previ- 
ously suffered from various imprudences, was becom- 
ing better understood and more highly appreciated. 
The pastoral letter sent forth by the conference was, 
therefore, highly congratulatory, though it adminis- 
tered timely caution against the love of the world, 
expensive churches, etc. 

The following four years developed nothing very 
striking. The minutes, however, showed an increase 
of 958 traveling preachers, 910 local preachers, and 
77,627 members. There was also a manifest im- 
provement with regard to church edifices. Our 
people, about that time, began to wake up to the 
importance of having respectable churches in good 
locations, instead of the miserable out-of-the-way 
structures, which they had endured so long. Con- 
nected with this discovery was the duty of giving 
ministers more eligible homes and a better support; 
and the tide began to flow in these directions. Yet, 
contrary to all the predictions of the over-cautious 
and penurious brotherhood, the benevolences of the 
Church increased in greater proportion. The collec- 
tions for the Missionary and Bible Societies more 
than doubled the amount raised the preceding four 
years. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1856. 

This body convened at Indianapolis, Indiana, and 
was composed of two hundred and seventeen mem- 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



489 



bers. Drs. Hannah and Jobson, of England, were 
present, bearing the fraternal greetings of the British 
Conference. Bishop Simpson and Dr. M'Clintock 
were appointed to visit that body in return, and also 
to visit the Irish Conference. Delegates from other 
branches of the Wesleyan family were also present, 
as usual, and contributed much to the interest of the 
occasion. The Rev. Robinson Scott, a delegate from 
the Irish Conference, with his colleague, Mr. Cather, 
from England, justly attracted much attention. Our 
Church in this country having been started, and sub- 
sequently strengthened and extended by emigrants 
from Ireland, to the great depletion and impoverish- 
ment of the Irish Conference, it naturally occurred 
to that body in its financial necessities, that it might 
not be unreasonable to ask a little assistance from us 
in return. Accordingly, Mr. Scott was deputed to 
visit the country, which he did some time before, 
and was cordially welcomed. This conference favored 
the enterprise, as did many of the annual conferences. 
One hundred thousand dollars were asked for and 
conceded ; but the receipts must have fallen short of 
this amount. They were appropriated to the literary 
institutions of the Irish Conference, before men- 
tioned — a small contribution, indeed, compared with 
the obligations of American Methodism to that 
struggling country. 

THE ACTION OF THE CONFERENCE. 

The action of this body was unusually progress- 
ive. The exciting subject of slavery was, for the 
first time in many years, referred to a standing com- 
mittee, composed of one member from each annual 



490 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



conference. In 1848, it was referred to the com- 
mittee on the state of the Church, and, four years 
after, to the committee on revisals, which simply 
meant to get rid of it with the least inconvenience. 
The motion to refer it to a standing committee meant 
consideration and fair treatment ; . it had it, and was 
properly characterized. The discussion and votes re- 
vealed a majority of moderate and decided abolition- 
ists, some of whom refrained from expressing all their 
hatred to slavery from prudential regard to our 
Southern border; but they really ''meant business." 
Education and missions among us received much 
attention, and were heartily commended to the 
patronage of. the people. Eight new conferences 
were added, to wit: Delaware, Detroit, Peoria, West 
Wisconsin, Upper Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Newark, 
and the German Mission, making forty -seven in all. 

This conference also improved our arrangements 
for taking statistics, by requiring an annual report of 
Church property, which went into operation in 1857, 
when it appeared that we had 8,335 churches, worth 
;^i5,78i,3io, and 2,174 parsonages, estimated to be 
worth ;^2, 126,874. This was a wise measure, which 
enables us to mark our financial progress. W^e shall 
furnish the annual reports hereafter in tabular form, 
from which important lessons may be learned. 

A NEW COURT PROVIDED FOR. 

Much time had been consumed by the trial of 
preachers in annual conferences, and by the trial 
of appeals in General Conferences, which being open 
to the public, often occasioned much mortification. 
The subject had been ventilated by several General 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH. 



491 



Conx^erences, to little purpose, other than to elicit 
complicated schemes of relief, to perish on the table. 
This year the subject was referred to a small com- 
mittee, who reported a simple modification, allowing 
the conferences concerned to try members and ap- 
peals by committees, which report was adopted with- 
out one word of objection, and has been generally 
followed since, saving much time and inconvenience. 

The plan for tiying appeals by the General Con- 
ference was equally simple, and easy to operate; but 
it was superseded in 1872 by the introduction of a 
new judicatory, called the Judicial Conference. (See 
Dis., pp. 124-126, 140-143.) But this plan, we 
think, is too complicated and expensive for the ben- 
efits it proposes, and can not long survive without 
serious modification. The only advantage of it ap- 
pears to be, that it sometimes gives the appellant an 
earlier hearing; but, on the old plan, he was not de- 
layed so long as is quite common in civil courts. 
But now that the trial is had before a committee, 
and not before the whole conference, as formerly, it 
can not be difficult to make up an appellate court 
within the bounds of most conferences that would be 
much more convenient, and equally fair to all parties. 
In this case the appeal may be tried immediately 
after the verdict is rendered, from* which it is taken, 
before the preachers shall disperse, and thus save 
time and expense, and not trouble other conferences. 

Connected with this addition, there was also some 
pertinent subtraction. The rules in relation to band 
meetings, and men and women sitting apart in 
Church, having become useless by the change of cir- 
cumstances, were rescinded. 



492 



HIST OR Y OF METHODISM. 



A STEP TOWARD RITUALISM. 

As we have seen, Mr. Wesley was at first a strict 
ritualist, read his sermons and prayers, and rigidly 
followed Church rules. Conversion to God freed 
him from many of his notions and methods, but 
never fully from the Established Church and its 
formularies. Accordingly he prepared a modified 
ritual and prayer-book for American Methodists, 
Avhich never found much favor, and soon dropped 
out of use, with the gown, except on special occa- 
sions, such as ordinations, and the administration of 
the sacraments. Frequent attempts have been made 
to revive them, rules and resolutions being adopted 
for that purpose, but to little effect. The General 
Conference of 1856 inaugurated a gigantic attempt 
to perfect the ritual by the appointment of a com- 
mittee to report at the next General Conference. 
In i860, nearly the same committee was appointed 
to prepare a revised ritual, submit it to the bishops, 
and print it so far as they should approve, and for- 
ward a copy to each of the members of that, and the 
following General Conferences. This was done with- 
out stint of labor or expense, and resulted in the 
adoption of our present ritual in 1864. 

The history of these revisions is instructive, 
showing the folly of clinging to an old system of 
dead formulas, which have little adaptation to the 
spirit and aims of \lethodism, otherwise known as 
"Christianity in earnest." The result is, our ritual 
occupies nearly one-third of our book of Disci- 
pline, and is not followed in ordinary service with 
any considerable uniformity, even where specifically 



DIVISION OF THE CHURCH, 



493 



enjoined. Many object to the sentiments involved, 
and the language employed, as inappropriate to the 
spirit and circumstances of the occasion, and prefer 
to furnish something more modern and impressive. 
For one, the writer is not surprised. The truth is, 
as a people, we were never much inclined to ritualism, 
and, as we grow in grace and knowledge, we have less 
and less need of these extraneous helps, and feel 
more inclined to speak, both to God and man, as the 
Spirit shall give us utterance. 



494 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF i860 DEATH OF BISHOP 

WAUGH FIRST COLORED BISHOP PROGRESS OF THE 

CAUSE GENERALLY LAY DELEGATION, ITS HISTORY AND 

CONSUMMATION SIGNS OF THE TIMES PORTENTOUS 

HOW REGARDED. 

^ I ^HE thirteenth deleg-ated General Conference met 



Jl at Buffalo, New York, May ist, and adjourned 
on the 4th of June, numbering two hundred and 
twenty-one delegates. But the seat of the senior 
bishop of the last session was vacant. 



He was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 1789; 
converted in his fifteenth year ; joined the Baltimore 
Conference in 1809; spent two years on hard cir- 
cuits; and the following sixteen in Washington, Bal- 
timore, and other important stations; served as Book 
Agent at New York eight years; and in 1836, he 
was elected to the office of bishop. He was gentle- 
manly above the common average of ministers, able, 
efficient, and successful, loving, and beloved by all 
who knew him and were capable of appreciating 
a manly, Christian minister. He died February 9, 
1858. "His illness was short, and his death happy. 
Up to within a few days of his decease he labored 
with unabated ardor in fulfilling the ministry which 




BISHOP WAUGH WAS DEAD. 



PORTENTOUS TIMES. 



495 



he had received of the Lord Jesus." . . . **As 
a presiding officer, he was calm, courteous, and dig- 
nified; in the deUcate and difficult work of station- 
ing the* preachers, he was patient, affectionate, and 
firm; in the councils of the Church, he was discrim- 
inating, sagacious, and candid; as an executive officer, 
he was sympathetic, fraternal, and decided; in Chris- 
tian excellence, in ministerial fidelity and episcopal 
usefulness, he was eminent. His loss to the Church 
and the cause of religion is great." 

This seems almost too much to say of any mortal, 
and yet it faUs short of the truth in regard to Bishop 
Waugh. His mourning colleagues did well in giving 
this glowing portraiture of his character, and they 
might have added after all, that he shone brighter in 
social life than in any other position, where he pre- 
sented one of the most perfect models of a Christian 
gentleman that we ever beheld. Our first sight of 
him was, as he stood erect in the midst of the New 
York Conference, arguing against the manifest will 
of the rulers of that body, on a constitutional ques- 
tion. They had little patience with his dissent, but he 
was calm, sincere, and manly; and prevailed not there, 
but in the final vote. He was one of the few South- 
ern men who could oppose New England abolition 
and still command their love, though he could not 
control their sentiments or action. Our last sight 
of him was at a conference in Michigan, where we 
spent a whole Sabbath together in the State-house, 
the governor being present. He was the happiest 
bishop we ever saw. He shouted and rejoiced like 
one who saw heaven open. We feared then that he 
was about to depart, .and it was so. 



496 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



THE FIRST COLORED BISHOP. 

The bishops reported at this conference having 
ordained Rev. Francis Burns, of Liberia Conference, 
to the office of bishop, October 14, 1858, as per 
order of the last General Conference. After a life 
of useful service, he closed his career in Baltimore, 
April 18, 1863, to join the martyr Cox who would 
have ''thousands fall before Africa should be given 
up." The opening of Liberia Mission was a daring 
undertaking. Mr. Wright, who soon followed Mr. 
Cox with his young wife to the grave, was but little 
known out of Boston; but he was a most healthy 
and brilliant young preacher. We were received 
into the conference with him ; but he was cut off, O, 
how soon! The mission, however, has done good. 
Its martyrs still speak, and will be heard and heeded. 

The General Conference of 1864 provided for the 
election, by the Liberia Conference, of a successor to 
Bishop Burns, which was effected, and Rev. J. W. 
Roberts was consecrated, at New York, a missionary 
bishop for Liberia, in June, 1866; but he, too, has 
lately departed to his heavenly reward. 

NEW ASPECTS OF EDUCATION. 

As we have seen, the educational movements of 
the Church were not a success for many years. 
Then, establishing some few institutions with encour- 
aging prospects, the conferences were urged to mul- 
tiply them, which they did with so much zeal, that 
the bishops began to fear that the work was being 
overdone. Accordingly, in their address to the Gen- 
eral Conference of i860, they suggested the propriety 



PORTENTOUS TIMES. 



497 



of imposing some restraint, and objected- to making 
up the faculties with men professing to be moved 
by the Holy Ghost to preach the Gospel. They say, 
''it seems inharmonious with the itinerant character 
of our ministry, and incompatible with the designs 
of our conference associations, for men, who never in- 
tend to enter the pastoral work, but to make teach- 
ing a profession for life, to be admitted to member- 
ship in the conference." But little attention has 
been paid to this suggestion, though teaching is just 
as secular a business as practicing medicine. 

The report of this conference presents a summary 
of 103 institutions, embracing twenty-five collegiate 
and two theological, valued at ;^4,o8o,465, and em- 
ploying 633 teachers, giving instruction to 21,616 
pupils. 

PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE GENERALLY. 

This conference was greatly cheered by the 
progress of the Church in other respects. Power- 
ful revivals had prevailed during the last four years, 
giving a net increase of 1,469 itinerant preachers, 
174,914 members, 1,295 Sunday-schools, 26, 140 offi- 
cers and teachers, and 153,466 scholars. With re- 
gard to Church property, the increase had been, in 
two years, 960 churches, or more than nine per 
week, and 366 parsonages, averaging over one in 
two days, showing an advance in value of ^^3,341,- 
624. Our benevolent enterprises also gained consid- 
erably, though not in proportion to the other inter- 
ests named. But this unparalleled prosperity did 
not create entire satisfaction. The conference was 
especially agitated by two great questions, namely: 

42 



498 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



SLAVERY AND LAY DELEGATION. 

Slavery was nothing new, though particularly 
alarming just at that time. The South was working 
up to open rebellion, and loyal men of all parties 
were fusing into one body, to preserve the Union by 
force, if necessary. The conference referred the sub- 
ject to a standing committee, by which it was thor- 
oughly canvassed; and, after an able discussion of it 
in open conference for several days, the original sec- 
tion of the Discipline on the subject was adopted, in 
place of one enacted many years before, by a vote 
of one hundred and fifty-five to fifty-eight against it. 
There was a great deal of feeling, and some inclined 
to run the conference strictly on party principles, as 
the opponents of abolition had always done when 
they had the power; but a majority were too mag- 
nanimous to do it. Dr. Edward Thomson, however, 
was made editor of the CJiristian Advocate, which 
led, soon after, to the issue of a competing paper at 
New York, called TJie Methodist, to represent the 
conservatives, otherwise known as the pro-slavery 
party; and the most of the offices were filled by 
men of that way of thinking, as they had been the 
preceding term. 

Lay Delegation had at no time been a question 
of general interest. The Church having been organ- 
ized and brought to its present magnitude by the 
preachers calling the people rather than the people 
the preachers, and all working on a general platform 
of doctrine and discipline furnished by Mr. Wesley, 
it seemed reasonable that the preachers should gov- 
ern themselves, and, in doing so, govern those who 



PORTENTOUS TIMES. 



499 



should be pleased to accept the conditions of mem- 
bership proposed and follow them; hence, there had 
been no general agitation of the question. In 1818, it 
was broached in and about Philadelphia, and pushed 
with much furor for ten years, and culminated in 
secession and the organization of the "Methodist 
Protestant Church," of which we have already given 
some account; but the bishops and leading men 
met the question with such force of argument that 
it seemed silenced forever. (Bangs's History, Vol. 
Ill, p. 397.) But, in 1840, certain abolitionists, feel- 
ing oppressed by clerical domination, petitioned the 
General Conference, asking for lay representation, to 
whom that body replied (referring approvingly to 
the action of the General Conference of 1828 and 
the success of our system) that "it is inexpedient 
to change the form of our Church government." 

Little more was heard on the subject until 1852, 
when it came up in the General Conference, held in 
Boston, by further petitions from Philadelphia. It 
was referred to a committee of twenty-nine, one 
from each conference, with Rev. Matthew Simpson, 
now one of our bishops, as chairman. The commit- 
tee reported adversely to it, and their report was 
almost unanimously adopted. Similar action was 
had in 1856; but in i860 the subject assumed a 
new aspect. The bishops called attention to it in 
their opening address, seeming to have lost all their 
old fear of the terrible results of it which had been 
previously predicted, particularly if it should be in- 
troduced as a separate house. 

The petitions were referred without discussion, 
or any indication that a change of sentiment had 



500 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



occurred. Near the close of the session the committee 
reported that few petitions had been received, either 
for or against, and that the action had by annual and 
quarterly conferences was strongly adverse to the 
measure. Yet, strangely enough, it favored its intro- 
duction, and presented a plan by which it might be 
inaugurated at the next session of that body, pro- 
vided that a majority of the members voting in the 
annual and quarterly conferences should favor it. 
This was certainly a most singular report, the history 
of which remains to be written. Proposing an or- 
ganic change of our long-established system, in bold 
antagonism, to the arguments and conclusions of all 
preceding General Conferences, and in opposition to 
the petitions and official votes presented to the com- 
mittee, it was one of the most amazing documents 
ever brought before so grave a body. The entire 
absence of any new fact or argument, or any griev- 
ance to be redressed, together with the hurry to put 
the measure through, and get the laymen into power 
at the next session, rendered the case still more 
surprising. Without attempting to account for the 
wonderful transition indicated by these facts, we will 
simply say that the project was superseded by an 
arrangement to refer the question to the annual con- 
ferences, and to all the male members of the Church 
twenty-one years of age and over. The result of that 
reference, as officially reported in 1864, ^^'^s 1,338 
ministers and 28,884 members for lay delegation, 
and 3,069 ministers and 47,855 members against it, 
showing very clearly that the Church was not pre- 
pared for the measure. The General Conference of 
1864, however, left the matter open, in opposition to 



PORTENTOUS TIMES. 



501 



the votes of preachers and people reported by the 
bishops, showing an overwhelming majority of both 
opposed to the change, and reaffirming its approval 
of ' ' lay representation in the General Conference 
whenever it shall be ascertained that the Church de- 
sires it." This gave the reformers much encourage- 
ment, and they pushed the agitation, by conventions, 
speeches, and documents, with unwonted zeal. What 
was the exact result of the voting we are unable to 
state; but the General Conference of 1868 proceeded 
to adopt a plan, which, if approved by a majority of 
the people, and the necessary changes of the Dis- 
cipline should be recommended by a constitutional 
majority of the preachers, lay delegates might be 
admitted to the next General Conference. It ap- 
pearing to said conference, held in Brooklyn, New 
York, that the required majorities had been obtained, 
it perfected the arrangement, and lay representation 
in the General Conference went into practical opera- 
tion in 1872. (See Dis., pp. 48-53.) 

The writer was conscientiously opposed to it, 
believing that it would be better for all concerned to 
maintain the old system, and stated his views frankly 
in a pamphlet, entitled "Lay Delegation in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church Calmly Considered." 
But the change in the feeling of bishops, editors, and 
other leading ministers, from determined opposition 
to unhesitating approval, was so sudden, and without 
any apparent reason, we have been left to suspect 
that God led the movement, to prevent certain evils 
or secure important advantages which we did not 
apprehend at the time, and could not, therefore, 
appreciate. Like Methodism itself, it was certainly 



502 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



a most marvelous affair, i. In that more than ten 
thousand preachers, having the peaceable and sole 
government under God, and by his Providence of 
more than a million and a half of members, should 
cheerfully consent to divide their authority with said 
members. 2. It was stranger still that these preachers 
who had alone governed themselves from the be- 
ginning, choosing bishops to regulate their labors, 
should relinquish any part of their power of self-gov- 
ernment. 3. And, what is most remarkable of all is, 
that they should place themselves in a position to be 
overridden and controlled by a very few lay delegates, 
by giving them a veto power over the action of the 
largest possible minority of the lay delegates, and the 
united action of the clerical delegates composing the 
General Conference. Our meaning may be better 
comprehended by looking at a few facts: 

1. The plan provides for two lay delegates from 
each annual conference which has two or more cler- 
ical delegates, and one lay delegate from each of 
those conferences which are entitled to but one cler- 
ical delegate. On this plan the General Conference 
of 1872 consisted of 292 clerical, and 129 lay delegates. 
(See Dis., H 84, and Journal, p. 29.) 

2. The plan also provides that these two classes 
may ''vote separately whenever such separate vote 
shall be demanded by one-third of either order; and in 
such cases the concurrent vote of both orders shall be 
necessary to complete an action." (See Dis., % 90.) 

3. The motion was twice made by a layman in 
the General Conference of 1872 to vote in this way, 
and was lost in both cases by only two votes — that 
is, two less than one-third. In the second case, 



PORTENTOUS TIMES. 



ninety-eight votes were cast, thirty-one for the meas- 
ure, and sixty-seven against it. The change of a 
single vote from nay to yea would have given fifty 
laymen complete control of the elections to which the 
motions referred. They could have defeated any 
man, though he had been the choice of all the clerical 
delegates, and forty-eight of the ninety-eight lay dele- 
gates present, and so of any other action of the 
body. And what must have been very instructive to 
some of the clerical heroes of lay delegation, many 
of their chief lay coadjutors voted in the case named 
to give those fifty laymen just that control. (See 
Journals, pp. 291, 349.) Besides, as the number of 
lay delegates present decreases, the number necessary 
to control the body decreases. Once, we believe, 
during the General Conference of 1872, thirty-seven 
laymen were a ruling majority for all veto purposes. 

But it matters little now who was right or who 
wrong — lay delegation is a settled fact for good or 
evil; and it becomes every lover of Methodism to 
make the best of it. It will undoubtedly lead to 
some other modifications of our system, probably for 
the better; and we are not without hope that it will 
effect all its friends predicted. Our Church pros- 
pered more than one hundred years without it, and 
will prosper with it, if we live in and for God. If 
we do not, no government can make it a success ; and 
the sooner it dies, the better for the world. Let us 
cherish her in the devout spirit of the poet, who sung: 

"For her my tears shall fall; 
For her my prayers ascend ; 
To her my cares and toils he given, 
Till toils and cares shall end." 



504 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



The General Conference of 1872 justly commended 
the opponents of lay delegation in its address to the 
" British Conference, as follows : * ' The minority, large 
as it is, have concluded, with remarkable unanimity, 
that the law which enjoins peace, and that we be of 
one heart and one mind, is of equal obligation with 
any law or precedent relating to forms of Church 
government. . . . And they think it best to put 
away all strife, . . . leaving to honest experi- 
ment to settle questions which much discussion has 
failed to settle." 

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES PORTENTOUS. 

But, to return to the General Conference of i860, 
which we left to follow out the action on lay delega- 
tion, we will add that it closed with rather dubious 
prospects. The John Brown raid, so-called, and his 
execution, had stirred the country from end to end. 
The Supreme Court was thoroughly committed to 
slavery. The South was pressing hard to extend 
its area and obtain the control of the government. 
While the conference was in session, Abraham Lin- 
coln was nominated for the next President, and the 
canvass opened with unbounded enthusiasm. His 
competitor was Stephen A, Douglas, the Demo- 
cratic candidate. The platforms of the two parties 
were squarely antagonistic, involving morality and 
religion. The Church, therefore, could not evade 
the contest. Ministers would be expected to take 
sides as they had not previously done, where the 
issue was about finances. 

And the result was even worse than was antici- 
pated. Mr. Lincoln was elected, and assumed the 



PORTENTOUS TIMES. 505 

reins of government. A few months after, South 
Carolina seceded from the Union, followed by other 
States. April 12, 1861, the war opened with an 
attack on Fort Sumter, and Northern soldiers began 
to move to the front. The rebellion absorbed the 
public thought beyond all precedent in our history. 
Regarding it as an outrage on God and humanity, 
designed to perpetuate and extend human oppres- 
sion, it became a subject of prayer on all occasions. 
Never had there been a war, since the days of 
Cromwell, which elicited so much or so earnest and 
believing prayer. While we praised Lincoln and 
Grant and other prominent actors in the grand con- 
flict, the feeling seemed to pervade all antislavery 
minds that God ruled the storm, and that emancipa- 
tion was his object and was as sure as his almighti- 
ness. Even men who had been skeptical in religion, 
like Mr. Lincoln, seemed to be controlled by this 
conviction, and it was this that sustained them in 
the dark days of our terrible disasters. 

But, though many of our preachers and people 
entered the army, the work of God did not entirely 
cease. Revivals prevailed to a considerable extent, 
though they failed to bring in new members enough 
to repair the ordinary wastes of death and our losses 
by the war. 

43 



5o6 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 864 CONDITION OF THE 

CHURCH THE ATTITUDE OF THE WAR — ACTION OF 

THE CONFERENCE REVIVED NEW BISHOPS ELECTED 

DELEGATES FROM OTHER BODIES DISCIPLINARY POSI- 
TION OF THE CHURCH ON TEMPERANCE CHURCH EX- 
TENSION THE WAR OPPOSED LEE'S SURRENDER, ETC. 

THIS conference was held in Philadelphia, and 
was composed of two hundred and sixteen 
members. In reviewing the operations of the pre- 
ceding four years, the bishops remarked: ''The 
times in which we are assembled are unprecedented. 
A 'mystery of iniquity,' which was working at the 
date of your last session, and which had been work- 
ing for many years, broke forth, in April, 1861, in 
a gigantic, thoroughly organized, and most defiant 
rebellion against the authority of the general gov- 
ernment and the integrity and life of the Federal 
Union. The collisions resulting inevitably from this 
unnatural and wicked rebellion have laid waste large 
portions of our once fair and beautiful heritage, have 
sent tens of thousands to a patriot's or a traitor's 
grave, and have filled the land with lamentation and 
mourning. The rebellion still rages, but, we are 
happy to say, with lessening hopes and diminishing 
resources." (Journal, p. 274.) 

But our Church proved herself eminently lo}'al 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY. 507 

by giving the Federal government her most decided 
support, not merely by conference resolutions and 
financial contributions, but by her ministers and 
members flocking in large numbers to the field of 
battle. It could not, however, be denied that we 
had suffered some loss; yet, considering the circum- 
stances, it was much less than we had any reason to 
expect. Our decrease during these years was 89 
preachers and 50,951 members, many of whom had 
fallen martyrs to the rebellion; but we lost not a 
few from secession on the southern border of the Bal- 
timore Conference, whose pro-slavery sentiments led 
them into affiliation with the Church South and the 
Southern Confederacy. They had not felt at home 
with us for many years, and, when the time came 
that they must make what appeared to be a final 
choice, they left. We decreased, too, in our tract 
collections to the amount of ^3,070. 

But in the other thirteen items embraced in our 
statistical reports, we made a moderate gain, as fol- 
lows: 252 local preachers, 124 churches, 313 parson- 
ages, ;^6,859 for conference claimants, 150, 740 for 
missions, ^15,655 for American Bible Society, $A,6i 
for Sunday-schools, and ;^2,370, 896 in the value of 
our Church property; besides, we gained 1,253 
Sunday-schools, 7,618 officers and teachers, 101,584 
scholars, and 114,103 volumes in our libraries. 

Our success in the missionary work w^as never 
more encouraging. No field was abandoned or mis- 
sionary called home on account of the war. Indeed, 
both the foreign and home work were strengthened 
and extended, and the General Missionary Commit- 
tee were so encouraged that they appropriated for 



5o8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the support of missions that year ^425,984.14, or 
^125,984.14 more than had ever been appropriated 
for a single year before. 

The bishops congratulated that conference, also, 
on the success of the Book Concern, which had 
lately divided its capital stock with the Church 
South. They say: ''We have the pleasure of an- 
^ nouncing the cheering fact that this great interest 
was never in a more healthy and prosperous condi- 
tion than it is to-day. It is not only able to meet 
all its liabilities and to carry on its extended opera- 
tions, but the agents at New York found themselves 
able to make to the conferences dividends, which 
had been discontinued for several years. Last year, 
they divided four hundred dollars to each of the 
annual conferences, amounting to nearly tiventy tJwu- 
sand dollars, and the same amount is continued for 
the present year." (Journal, p. 276.) But the con- 
ference adopted a report, which, while it is true in 
its statements, seemed to rebuke the book agents at 
New York for making the dividends named, and was 
construed to effect their abolishment at the close of 
the year, since which the conferences have received 
no dividends. (See Journal, p. 372.) This subject 
will probably come up for consideration some day, 
when this fact may be of importance. 

Our educational institutions suffered somewhat by 
so many of their pupils going to the war, but they 
generally held on and prospered. 

ANOTHER REASON FOR CONGRATULATION. 

As before indicated, the last General Conference 
adjourned with a war cloud gathering in the South 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY, 509 

that filled all hearts with alarm. The struggle came, 
and progressed with various fortunes. The President 
did not understand God at the first; nor did the peo- 
ple generally. The slaves did. They regarded Massa 
Linkum as tlieir Moses, divinely called and commis- 
sioned to deliver them, and they were ready to help 
him, if he would allow them. But that would not do. 
The prevailing idea, for a long time, was to put down 
the rebellion without disturbing slavery, and the war 
was conducted on that policy. But it was an error, 
and disasters multiplied, until many of the people, 
and finally the President and the officers, were made 
to see, if they would have God's help, they must 
accept his policy, and ''let the people go," and fight 
for themselves. Many saw this from the beginning; 
but how slowly and reluctantly the leaders came to 
accept victory on these terms ! They were brought 
to it, like Pharaoh, by defeat and trouble. But the 
day they reached the point and proclaimed uncondi- 
tional emancipation (January i, 1863), and converted 
the chattels of the rebels into soldiers, God's arm 
was made bare. Till then he had only given our 
armies success enough to keep them from complete 
discouragement, and to indicate whom he had chosen 
to plan and lead the battle. Now, that the object of 
the war was gained, and no compromise involving a 
retraction of the great act of justice and freedom 
was possible, the way to victory was open. God 
could now conduct his chosen and commissioned 
Grant, and his subordinates, to certain victory, by 
methods, unknown to books, that made old warriors 
tremble in their boots. 

General Grant reached Washington from the West, 



510 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



to receive his commission as "Lieutenant-General 
of the Armies of the United States," March 8, 1864. 
Arranging his plans, he announced his head-quarters 
to be "on the field," and, on the 5th of May, he 
was on M'Clellan's old ground fighting Lee. A 
false report reached the conference that Lee had sur- 
rendered. O, what a tumult! Such an outburst of 
joy was scarcely ever heard from a thousand people. 
The mistake was soon corrected, though nobody 
doubted that it ought to have been true, or that 
the event Avould soon transpire, and it did in less 
than a year, April 9, 1865. Thus, abolition which 
had given the General Conference so much trouble, 
became a fact by the Providence of God and the 
armies of the Republic. 

In this state of affairs it was not difficult to change 
the general rule of our Discipline to prohibit slave- 
holding under any circumstances. (See ^ 34/.) 

USEFUL MODIFICATIONS. 

special legislation for the arrest of a particular 
individual or case is generally unwise. We ha^-e 
several specimens of it connected with our history 
which fully substantiate this statement. The repeal 
of the supernumerary relation in i860 is an instance 
of this kind. Four year's experience without it were 
sufficient to reveal the mistake, and it was restored 
in 1864. Like every other provision, it may be per- 
verted to an illegitimate purpose; but that is not suf- 
ficient reason for its repeal. If conferences make an 
improper use of it, and give preachers that relation 
who are not entitled to it, let them be reproved, but 
never repeal a good rule to accommodate the cow- 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY. 



ardice or infidelity of a conference. And for a con- 
ference to ask a man to locate after voting him super- 
numerary is certainly not treating him, or themselves, 
with proper respect. If he is really effective, pro- 
nouce him so, and give him work, when, if he is so 
secular" that he will not do it, he will locate, or 
he may be fairly located without his consent. 

This conference extended the time of ministerial 
service to three years, whether wisely or not the 
reader can judge. It also relaxed the rigidity of our 
rule with regard to class-meetings, which has proba- 
bly increased our membership more than our piety. 
We are not quite sure, however, but as large a pro- 
portion of our members attend on this . means of 
grace now as did before. The change seemed to us at 
the time to be in the wrong direction; but in many 
Churches, class-meetings, we are glad to believe, are 
gaining favor. 

OF DELEGATES AND BISHOPS, ETC. 

The conference was honored by the presence of 
Rev. W. L. Thornton, M. A., delegate from the 
British Conference. Delegates from other branches 
of the Wesleyan family were also received with fra- 
ternal greetings, indicating a marked improvement in 
the feeling of the family circle, which has warmed 
into closer fellowship ever since. So may it continue 
to be, until there shall be but one spirit, though 
there may still be several bodies! 

Rev. D. W. Clark, Edward Thomson, and Cal- 
vin Kingsley were elected and consecrated bishops. 
They all seemed to enjoy the best of health, and 
bid fair to run a long and useful race, but unex- 



512 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



pectedly finished their course in a few brief years. 
We shall refer to them again in connection with 
their death. 

OF THE ITINERANCY. 

We have spoken elsewhere of the impropriety of 
making no provision for the slightest deviation from 
our rules relating to the time preachers may remain 
in the same appointment. This conference took 
notice of several instances in the administration of 
the bishops wherein they evaded the rule to follow 
Providence, and no doubt did a good thing for the 
cause of God, though at the risk of being rebuked. 
(See Journal, page 259.) We mention this to em- 
phasize the importance of some relief in this respect. 
To send forth bishops to appoint the preachers as 
Providential circumstances may seem to require, and 
yet forbid their doing it, is to assume that Provi- 
dence or the bishops, or both, are not to be trusted, 
and that a rule is of more importance than any suc- 
cess which its temporary suspension may achieve. 
There is no part of our system more generally ap- 
proved than the itinerancy, and the bishop have 
given ample evidence of their tenacity for it. Tliey 
would not abuse any discretion that might be given 
them to its detriment. There is more danger of 
breaking it down by too much rigidity than by too 
little. Most of the objections we hear, arise from 
special cases of revival, church building, etc., where 
no stranger could take the work and carry it through 
like the pastor who commenced it. 

The conference, however, did relax a little in sev- 
eral particulars, and allowed the bishops to appoint 



THE CHURCH AhW COUNTRY. 



men for a longer time than three years to edit Zion s 
Herald, to act as chaplains in hospitals, missiona- 
ries in neglected portions of cities, etc., increasing 
the exceptions, which were quite numerous before, 
though they tightened the cords on the regular 
pastors. 

OF TEMPERANCE. 

The disciplinary attitude of our Church on this 
subject has never wavered. As far back as 1780, 
nearly fifty years before the modern temperance re- 
vival, the conference asked, **Do we disapprove of 
the practice of distilling grain into liquor ? Shall we 
disown our friends who will not renounce the prac- 
tice? Answer. Yes." Three years after, it asked: 
''Should our friends be permitted to make spirituous 
liquors, sell and drink them in drams? Ajiswer. By 
no means. We think it wrong in its nature and con- 
sequences, and desire all our preachers to teach the 
people by precept and example to put away this 
evil." Six years later, drinking intoxicating liquor 
was prohibited as a crime, like drunkenness. The 
testimony of the Church has been regular from the 
beginning, so that when the public agitation of the 
subject commenced in 1828, many Methodists hesi- 
tated about joining temperance societies, on the 
ground that our Church was such a society. Dr. 
Bangs took this ground, and had a sharp contest 
with Dr. Fisk, Timothy Merritt, and others, and 
finally surrendered and fell into line, seeing that we 
could not commit ourselves too fully or too frequently 
to total abstinence. In i860 it was made the duty 
of pastors to preach on the subject, and work to 



514 HISTORY OF METHODISM. 

create such a public sentiment as should abolish the 
traffic by legal enactments. Our Church has been as 
far ahead of the community at large, on this subject, 
as on that of spiritual religion. Hence, the General 
Conference of 1864 only repeated its long-established 
sentiments on the subject. 

ANOTHER WANT SUPPLIED. 

This Conference introduced another arrangement 
of much importance. For many years we lost val- 
uable legacies for the want of corporate existence 
under the law. Therefore, it provided for and ap- 
pointed a General Board of Trustees to receive and 
hold in trust, for the benefit or the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, any and all donations, bequests, grants, 
etc., made to said Church, "not specially designated 
or directed." This board is now in charge of certain 
properties to be appropriated for the promotion of 
specific and general objects. We have no means of 
determining their value. It is located at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and is a body corporate, and ready to receive 
and appropriate funds according to the directions of 
the donors. (Dis., pp. 512-514,) 

THE CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY FORMED, 

Many had long seen the necessity of some syste- 
matic plan of aiding young and poor societies in 
erecting churches. They had studied the arrange- 
ments of our English brethren for this purpose, but 
had failed to see how they could be made available 
for us with our numerous conferences and widely 
extended work. The New England Conference had 
already organized a society of the kind for its own 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY. 



use. But the necessity was imperative, and a com- 
mittee was raised at this conference to consider and 
report. The result was the organization of the so- 
ciety above named, to be located at Philadelphia. 
(See Dis., ^ 395, 420.) Rev. Samuel Y. Monroe, 
D. D., was appointed its first Corresponding Secre- 
tary. But his health soon became impaired, and he 
was unable to carry out his plans as he hoped. 
Still he pressed forward, and was one day found 
dead near the railroad track, having fallen from the 
platform, in his weakness, as was believed. He was 
an able man, and devoted to his work. Rev. A. J. 
Kynett, D. D., was soon after appointed to succeed 
him, and has held the office ever since. 

The society was a grand conception, and was just 
in season to assist in meeting the demands of the 
newL and extended fields that were about to claim our 
cultivation. Though still in its youth, it has done 
a good work by its gifts and labors, especially among 
our lately emancipated brethren of the South. Its 
receipts from all sources have been as follows: 



Year. 


Receipts. 


Year. 


Receipts. 


Year. 


Receipts. 


1866* 

1867 

1868 


$59,277 17 
30,961 42 


1869 
1870 
1871 


133,771 44 
169,852 18 


1872 
1873 
1874 


127,920 93 
137,101 78 
132,849 22 



The conference adjourned on the 27th day of its 
session, anticipating a variety of good and evil results 
from its action as usual, and went to their respective 
fields to be surprised to see how little the people 
knew or cared about what had been done. Gen- 
eral Conferences seldom enact prudential rules that 

*The year includes the receipts of eighteen months. 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



have not already been practically adopted ; and where 
they do make one, it soon falls through, unless it 
commends itself to the common sense of the masses. 
This lower house is a conservative element in Meth- 
odism, v\^hich is not fully appreciated. It is less 
important, therefore, who compose the General Con- 
ference, as we have sometimes imagined. The great 
Church-wheel rolls right on, grinding out grand spir- 
itual results, without seeming to be much affected by 
the little modifications Avhich occur in its subordinate 
machinery. 

THE WAR OPPOSED. 

Hopeful, as were many, with regard to the coun- 
try at the adjournment of the late conference, some 
were filled with the most painful apprehensions. 
There was a large party of pro-slavery men, em- 
bracing some members and even ministers of all the 
Churches, who had kept up one continual wail of 
opposition to the Government and the war from the 
beginning. Secret organizations had been formed in 
the North in the interest of rebellion, and plots for 
compromise and defeat were rife, so that it was 
difficult to tell exactly where we stood. The strength 
of this feeling was revealed at the National Demo- 
cratic Convention, held August 29th, at Chicago, 
Avhich nominated General M'Clellan for President, 
who had distinguished himself by playing fight on 
the Potomac, where Grant was now fighting in ear- 
nest, and successfully. The Ex-Rev. C. Chauncey 
Burr, of New Jersey, expressed the sentiments of 
that body, no doubt, when he said : 

"The South could not honorably lay down her 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY. 



arms, for she was fighting for her honor. Two mill- 
ions of men had been sent down to the slaughter- 
pens of the South, and the army of Lincoln could 
not again be filled, neither by enlistments nor con- 
scription. If he ever uttered a prayer, it was that 
no one of the States of the Union should be con- 
quered and subjugated." 

The platform of the Convention was squarely 
against the war, and was calculated to cheer the 
rebels and dishearten the North. But just then, to 
neutralize these traitorous operations, God gave the 
veto to it, and it was flashed over the country, 
Sherman has taken Atlanta!" "Farragut has 
carried the defenses of Mobile!' and the President 
called for thanksgiving in all the Churches, and along 
all our lines, recognizing our obligations to the Ruler 
of the universe, and sending a thrill of courage to 
every wavering heart. Then came Sheridan's mar- 
velous triumphs in the valley, and a little later, the 
elections in Vermont and Maine, showing increasing 
determination to stand by the Government. Finally, 
the presidential election arrived, giving M'Clellan but 
three States, New Jersey, Delaware, and Kentucky, 
and to Lincoln all the rest, with a popular majority 
of 411,228. The election for Congressmen was not 
less demonstrative, giving the House of Representa- 
tives 143 Republicans to 41 Democrats. 

The Winter over, and various compromises hav- 
ing proved abortive, Mr. Lincoln entered upon his 
second term with these appropriate words: 

"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that 
this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. 
Yet if God wills that it continue until all the wealth 



5i8 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



piled by the bondmens' two hundred and fifty years 
of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every 
drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by 
another drawn with the sword ; as was said three thou- 
sand years ago, so still it must be said, 'The judg- 
ments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.' 
With malice toward none, with charity for all, with 
firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the 
right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to 
bind up the Nation's wounds, to care for him who 
shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and 
his orphan, and achieve and cherish a just and a last- 
ing peace among ourselves, and with all nations," 
While these terrible struggles were filling the air 
Avith conflicting reports and prospects, and more than 
one million of our husbands, fathers, and sons w^ere 
away from their homes fighting for the Union, the 
chances for religious prosperity were small. Yet the 
work of God went steadily on. Grant kept unusu- 
ally still, fighting out the battle on his own well 
chosen line, bound to conquer if it took *'all Sum- 
mer." But thank God, it did not. One night, while 
sitting in his tent contemplating the situation, feeling 
certain of victory, he received a little note from his 
antagonist, which ended the strife. It read as follows : 

"Headquarters Army Northern Virginia, ) 

April 9, 1865. / 

General: I received your letter of this date, containing 
the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, as 
proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those 
expressed in your letter of the 8th inst., they are accepted,. 
I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stip- 
ulations into effect. R, E, Lee, General. 

Lieutenant-General, U. S. Grant." 



THE CHUR CH AND CO UNTR Y. 5 1 9 



We have given this brief sketch of our surround- 
ings at the time under consideration, that the reader 
may appreciate the situation, and give thanks to God 
who gave us the victory. But no pen can do justice 
to the subject. 

OUR LOSS OF MEMBERS DURING THE WAR. 

Our loss in numbers in 1864 was 1,608, making 
a total loss since the beginning of the war, of 68,661. 
The next year the tide turned a little, and we gained 
6,668. Getting into better working condition, and 
occupying some of our old Southern territory, va- 
cated twenty years before at the organization of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South, we gained the year 
following, 102,925; and in 1867, 1 13,897 members. 

OUR REAL CENTENARY CELEBRATED. 

We noticed the centenary of English Methodism 
in 1839, which our Church participated. The 
hundreth year^ of American Methodism was now 
approaching, and the General Conference of 1864 
resolved to turn the occasion to good account, by 
reviewing the mercies of God to us as a people, and 
by the presentation of pecuniary means for the better 
establishment of our various institutions, both con- 
nectional and local. The carrying out of the ar- 
rangement was committed to the bishops, twelve 
preachers, and twelve laymen, whom they should 
appoint. Education and church extension were spec- 
ified as local objects, tivo inillions of dollars were 
suggested as practicable, and the whole matter was 
referred to the prayerful consideration of the annual 
conferences and people. 



520 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



The committee did their work promptly and well, 
laying broad plans, and forming a net-work of sub- 
agencies through which every part of the Church 
could be reached and interested. The first Sabbath in 
January, 1866, was devoted to religious services, for 
the special purpose of asking God's blessing on the 
centenary year. Sermons, developing our providential 
origin and growth, were preached in most of our 
churches, and served to awaken gratitude. The light 
that flashed upon the Church that day did for it 
more than we can possibly compute. A large part 
of our people originally came among us strangers, hav- 
ing been trained in other denominations, or outside 
of any of them. Getting converted to God, they 
were delighted, and joined the Church ; but never 
until the centenary year had any real conception of 
its providential origin or unprecedented growth. 
The developments of that Sabbath and year fastened 
them to Methodism forever. 

The services which followed, the documents that 
flooded the country, the united editorial proclamations 
of all our papers, the movements of the presiding 
elders, conference, and district committees, all con- 
tributed to deepen the impression and prepare the 
way for the coming contributions of the celebration 
proper, which was to commence on the first Tuesday 
in October, and continue through the month. 

THE FINANCIAL RESULT. 

The result in thank -offerings, as reported to the 
General Conference of 1868, amounted to ^8,709,- 
498.39, or more than four times the amount pro- 
posed at the outset. The committee's ideas, however, 



THE CHUR CH AND CO UNTR Y. 5 2 1 



were not generally accepted with regard to the objects 
to be particularly favored. They preferred connec- 
tional objects, while the contributors inclined to 
support their own local interests. With 23 colleges, 
2 Biblical Institutes, and 75 seminaries, none of which 
were fully furnished with buildings and funds, and 
many of them heavily in debt and embarrassed, it 
was not strange that they absorbed the most of what 
could be spared for education. Besides, there was a 
very pressing demand for other institutions that 
must float into being on this tide, or be postponed 
for many years. Then, there were heavy debts rest- 
ing on Churches, that could only be met by taking 
advantage of this extraordinary occasion. All these 
and other local objects so exhausted the liberality of 
the Church, that strictly connectional gifts were very 
limited. And it is probably well that it was so. 
The practical benefit to the denomination was, no 
doubt, greater, on the whole, than would have re- 
sulted from the course suggested by the committee. 

Nor were these local contributions altogether 
?^;^-connectional. The gift of the grounds and build- 
ings of the Theological Seminary at Madison, New 
Jersey, by Daniel Drew, Esq., costing some ;^6oo, 000, 
was strictly connectional ; and Heck Hall, at Evanston, 
Illinois, erected in commemoration of the mother of 
American Methodism, being 148 feet in length, 48 
feet in depth, six stories high, and crowned with a 
Mansard roof, must be regarded as monumental, to 
say nothing of other establishments. 

The contributions to the "Connectional Educa- 
tion Fund," received by the committee, amounted 
to ;^i2,ooo, while those to the "Children's Fund" 

44 



522 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



reached the sum of ;^59, 523.49. These moneys were 
intrusted to a board of education, whicli was ap- 
pointed, and duly organized January I, 1870, to look 
after the general educational interests of the Church, 
and to hold and administer all funds that might be 
given to the Church as such for educational purposes. 
The report of this board, presented to the General 
Conference in 1872, shows the Children's Fund to 
have been, at that date, ^83,785.66, and the General 
Educational Fund ;^I5,727.78; total, ^99,543.44. 

This opened another outlet to the benevolence 
of a humane and Christian people who are interested 
in the education of poor young men for usefulness. 
The arrangement was timely, and has done good, 
and will continue to dispense its blessings, we trust, 
in the ages to come. Some will take more interest 
in this branch of our charities than in any other. 

THE FREEDMEN's AID SOCIETY. 

The collapse of the Rebellion in 1865 introduced 
to the sympathy of the North more than four mill- 
ions, of colored freemen, without houses or lands or 
schools, and without the respect or pity of many of 
their old masters. Here was a loud call for help, to 
Avhich the Churches in the free States generally and 
nobly responded, by furnishing supplies of food and 
raiment, preachers, teachers, and books. But the 
most of the older colored Christians, having been 
converted in their bondage by Methodist agencies, 
and carried away into the Church South, naturally 
gravitated toward their abolition Methodist friends 
of the North. Though they could not read, they 
understood the issues of the hour as well as white 



THE CHUR CH AND COUNTRY. 523 



folks, and knew who were their real friends. This 
circumstance, with others, rendered a Methodist 
society for their benefit necessary, and one was, 
therefore, organized in the Autumn of 1866, and 
called ''The Freedmen's Aid Society." During the 
following eighteen months it collected and expended 
more than sixty tJiousand dollars. At the end of that 
time it was employing seventy -five teachers, and 
giving instruction to twelve thousand pupils, to say 
nothing of the help it afforded in other respects. 
Reporting itself and its work to the General Confer- 
ence of 1872, that body indorsed and adopted it, as 
many of the annual conferences had done before, 
placing it by the side of our missionary and other 
benevolent societies, and commending it to the lib- 
erality of the people. It was well thought of, and 
will need to be sustained for some years to come, in 
order to accomplish its noble purposes. Its collec- 
tions have been as follows : 

SUMMARY ANNUAL COLLECTIONS. 



1868, First year, total cont 

1869, Second " " 

1870, Third 

1871, Fourth " 

1872, Fifth " <■<■ 

1873, Sixth " " 

1874, Sev'nth " " 

1875, Eighth " " 



ibutions $37? 139 89 

50.167 24 

*93>5I3 50 

^82,719 49 

51,568 43 

55,13498 

66,995 74 

86,560 33 



Total $523,799 60 

NEW SOUTHERN CONFERENCES. 

The circumstances which demanded the organiza- 
tion of the Freedmen's Aid Society required, also, 
the resumption of the pastoral supervision of the 

Including approprialioiis from Frecdnicii'b Diircaii. 



V 



524 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



freedmen themselves. The General Conference of 
1864, foreseeing their deliverance by faith, made pro- 
vision for this, by authorizing the bishops to organize 
Southern Conferences so soon as the way should be 
opened and they should deem it expedient. The 
Missionary Committee anticipated the demand also, 
and provided for it. Lee surrendered, April 9, 1865, 
about eleven months after the adjournment of that 
conference, when the bishops, true to their instruc- 
tions, entered the field, and organized the Holston 
Conference, June 5, 1865 ; the Mississippi, December 
25, 1865; South Carolina, April 2, 1866; Tennes- 
see, October 3, 1866; Texas, January 3, 1867; 
Georgia, October 10, 1867; and Alabama, October 
17, 1867. Reporting these proceedings to the Gen- 
eral Conference of 1868, they claimed for the new 
conferences 373 traveling preachers, and 90,071 mem- 
bers, besides a gain in Kentucky, Missouri, and 
Arkansas, in four years, of 177 traveling preachers, 
and 27,225 members. The General Conference of 
1868 added to the list Louisiana, North Carolina, St. 
Louis, Virginia, and Wilmington Conferences. These 
conferences have shared very largely in our mis- 
sionary appropriations, amounting in 1875 to nearly 
;^33,ooo. These facts show that the old sympathy 
of our Church for this injured people is not abated. 

THE ladies' and PASTORS' UNION. 

But Christian enterprise was not confined to the 
conferences or to ministers. War always generates 
some new ideas. That of the Rebellion aroused the 
ladies of the country to activities with which they 
had not been familiar, and demonstrated their capa- 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY. 



bilities. This suggested other Hnes of action for 
ordinary times, and led certain ladies of Philadelphia 
to organize the society above named, to aid the pas- 
tors in evangelizing the degraded masses not reached 
by ordinary means. It was a capital thought. Why 
should the pastor do all the visiting, praying, and 
other work, necessary to bring sinners to the Church 
and to Christ? The project was at once approved 
by several annual conferences, and went into success- 
ful operation. The General Conference of 1868 gave 
it a smile of friendly recognition; and that of 1872 
took it into full connection, and constituted it a 
regular society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Its board of managers consists of thirteen ministers 
and twelve Christian ladies, appointed by the General 
Conference. (See Journal for 1872, pp. 391-393.) 
Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer is its popular and efficient 
corresponding secretary, and is well known to the 
Church. If the preachers will encourage this move- 
ment, it must become a powerful agency for good. 

Methodism has been distinguished for welcoming 
all available agencies in carrying on the work of 
God. It has particularly recognized the capabilities 
of woman, and it is gratifying to see that increasing 
numbers and wealth have created no disposition to 
restrict her liberties. Though the Church has not 
provided for the induction of ladies into the minis- 
try, she has laid no embargo upon their preaching, 
if God calls and the people desire to hear them. 
This new organization only professes to do more 
systematically and thoroughly, just what has been 
attempted by a few isolated individuals. God speed 
the enterprise! 



526 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 868. 

The opening of this conference developed other 
important facts connected with the preceding four 
years; but, before adverting to them, let us glance 
at Chicago, the place of its meeting. In 183 1, it 
was a little settlement, situated at the extreme north 
of civilization, without one Methodist, but not be- 
yond the range of Methodist enterprise. It was that 
year made a mission, and Jesse Walker, the hero 
of many victories in the Western wilderness, was 
appointed to take charge of it. In 1834, the Chi- 
cago mission reported foiiy members. Six years 
later, it embraced one hundred and fifty white 
and four colored members. At the session of the 
General Conference, it contained eleven Methodist 
Churches and one mission, holding property esti- 
mated at ^735,600, and numbering 2,315 members. 

The General Conference never met so far West 
before, or under so peculiar circumstances. Bishop 
Janes had attended the British and Irish Conferences; 
Bishop Thomson had visited our missions in China 
and India, and organized the latter into an annual 
conference ; Bishop Kingsley had visited Germany, 
Switzerland, and Scandinavia; besides, the bishops 
had organized four German conferences in this 
country, for the better management of the German 
work, in addition to the Southern conferences before 
named. Our increase in members in the four pre- 
ceding years was 222,687, exceeding all precedent 
except in a single instance. We had also gained 
1,691 Church edifices, and 15, 054, 885 in the value 
of our Church property. There had been, too, a net 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY. 



527 



addition of 717 parsonages, giving us an increase in 
the net value of that class of requisites to the amount 
of ;s^2, 571, 145, making the increase of our property 
in four years more than the entire accumulation dur- 
ing the first ninety years of our history. . 

Our educational interests were not less pros- 
perous. The Concord theological school had been 
removed to Boston and opened under improved 
auspices; the Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, 
Illinois, had erected a splendid hall; and the Drew 
Theological Seminary had been established and was 
in successful operation, with ample means to meet 
its expenses. Besides these, three other similar 
institutions had been started, namely: The Baker 
Theological Institute, at Charleston, South Carolina; 
the Thomson Biblical Institute, at New Orleans, 
Avith four professors each; and the Martin Mission 
Institute, at Bremen, with three professors. 

Our increase in Sabbath-school scholars was 241,- 
819, and in missionary collections more than double 
any preceding quadrennium. From i860 to 1864, 
they amounted to ^1,153,041; but during the fol- 
lowing four years to 1868, they footed ^2,457,548; 
yet, owing to the demands of our expanding work, 
the treasury was in debt, which is no disgrace to an 
enterprising people. It is wise to work well up to 
our capacity, and not allow much money or talent 
to remain idle. 

ACTION ON MISSIONARY CONFERENCES. 

The foreign missionary and Southern conferences 
established or provided for by the action of the 
, General Conference of 1864, were "to possess all 



528 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



the rights, powers, and privileges of other annual 
conferences, except those of sending delegates to 
the General Conference, and of drawing an annual 
dividend from the avails of the Book Concern and 
Chartered Fund, and of voting on constitutional 
changes proposed in the Discipline." (Journal, p. 
138.) Understanding this, but wishing to present 
their interests to the consideration of the General 
Conference, they elected representatives to be pres- 
ent for this purpose. This brought up the question 
of their admission. After much discussion, it was 
voted: i. To repeal the action of the General Con- 
ference of 1864, which restricted the rights and priv- 
ileges of the said mission conferences. 2. To invest 
said conferences with all the rights, privileges, and 
immunities usual to annual conferences. 3. To admit 
such provisional delegates elected by said conferences 
to full membership in the General Conference, on 
the presentation of the requisite credentials. 4. To 
approve of the credentials of twelve such delegates, 
and admit them to seats in that body. 

Among these delegates were several colored breth- 
ren, lately emancipated, and a missionary from India. 
The welcome of these brethren and the conferences 
they represented was most cordial. Some, however, 
doubted the right of the conference to admit them. 
The Discipline required that delegates should be 
elected as such by an annual conference; but these 
mission conferences, it was claimed, were not annual 
conferences in the sense of the Discipline. They 
were candidates for that honor, under specific restric- 
tion excluding them from representation in General 
Conference. They, therefore, had 710 right to choose 



THE CHURCH AND COUNTRY. 



delegates; besides, it was claimed that they did not 
choose any, but i^epresentatives'' only, as is often 
done by official boards where they have something 
special to carry at their annual conference. It was 
also claimed that some of the delegates had not trav- 
eled ''four full calendar years," as required by the 
Discipline, and therefore were not eligible to seats, 
even if they had been elected in due form; but all 
this was of no account in the presence of such an 
opportunity to rebuke defunct slavery and its cruel 
prejudice against color, and to throw our arms 
around its redeemed victim^s and lift them into 
deserved fellowship. The repeal of the restriction 
mentioned no doubt entitled the conferences to rep- 
resentation, but did not allow them opportunity to 
elect delegates for that occasion, or give the General 
Conference authority to elect for them — that is, so 
some argued; besides, they doubted the propriety 
of allowing conferences so distant as Liberia and 
India to send delegates. They believed it would 
involve a loss of time and an outlay of money 
which the benefits would not compensate; but an 
overwhelming majority took other views, and the 
measure was put through with a rush, we trust 
for the furtherance of the Gospel. (See Daily Advo- 
cate, 1868.) 

OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE SESSION. 

We have not attempted to narrate every incident 
of any one conference. The ordinary routine of 
business involves a great variety of subjects, and dis- 
cussions of no public interest. One General Confer- 
ence had under consideration nearly five Jnindred 

45 



530 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



resolutions, though it adopted only about eighty. 
Memorials and petitions are never wanting, and have 
to be treated with respect. Besides, there are gen- 
erally more or less appeals from the decisions of 
annual conferences which have to be tried. But few 
of these transactions produce any serious modifica- 
tion of discipline or administration. Much time is 
given also to the reception of delegates and letters 
from fraternizing Churches, embracing at present 
most of the evangelical denominations. Rev. Will- 
iam Morley Punshon represented the British Con- 
ference at our General Conference in 1868 with 
much credit to all concerned. Bishop Ames and 
Rev. R. S. Foster, now Bishop Foster, were ap- 
pointed to reciprocate his visit. Bishop Ames, 
finding it inconvenient to attend to the duties of this 
appointment, they were imposed upon Bishop Simp- 
son, who, with his colleague, carried out the arrange- 
ment with equal honor to themselves and their con- 
stituents. (See Journal, 1872, p. 462.) 

This conference made several changes in the Dis- 
cipline, providing for the appointment of preachers 
more than tJiree years as temperance agents, chaplains 
to reformatory, sanitary, and charitable institutions. 
(See. Dis. ^ 219); the reception of ministers from 
other evangelical Churches (Dis. % 209) ; the ap- 
pointment of one Book Committee instead of two 
(Dis. U 438), etc. After a session of thirty-two 
days, it adjourned, with 72 conferences, 9 bishops, 
8,004 travehng preachers, "^^^ 1,146,081 members. 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



CHAPTER XV. 



METHODISM A GRAND FACT — PROGRESS FROM 1 868 TO 

1872 THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1 87 2 DEATH OF 

FOUR BISHOPS NEW BISHOPS ELECTED THE MISSIONARY 

CAUSE NUMERICAL PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH OTHER 

EVIDENCES OF GROWTH STATISTICS OF ALL THE CON- 
FERENCES EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

TTROM what has been said, it must be conceded 



that Methodism, with all its mistakes and de- 
fects, is "one of the grandest facts in the history of 
the Christian Church." One hundred and thirty- 
seven years ago it had no organized existence. 
To-day it probably enrolls a larger number of com- 
municants than any Church in Christendom not sup- 
ported by State patronage, and yet there seems to 
be no real abatement in its triumphs. ''It has liter- 
ally girded the globe with its far-reaching and benef- 
icent agencies. To God, wdio originated it and has 
guided its labors, be all the glory. 

But we are not quite ready to sum up and pres- 
ent our case in its full magnitude. From 1868, the 
work steadily progressed, yielding liberal results in 
all the evidences of success. Sinners were converted 
in great numbers, so that our net increase in the 
four following years, that is, from 1867 to 1871, was 
275,242 members; which was 52,531 more than we 
gained during the four years last preceding. In the 




532 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



mean time we increased 1,695 traveling preachers, 
and 1,913 local preachers; 2,319 church edifices; 
adding to the value of our net church property ^21,- 
024,461. Besides, we added 739 parsonages, increas- 
ing the value of our parsonage property ;^2,425,509. 
And most of these churches are free, and are less 
in debt relatively than our poorer churches were 
eighteen years before. And we feel safe in saying 
that free churches are gaining favor rapidly, as is the 
voluntary principle in meeting church expenses. 

Our benevolences have not increased so largely, 
yet they have advanced, as will be seen by referring 
to our schedules of receipts given elsewhere. 

THE woman's foreign MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 

Missionary work in heathen lands has always been 
obstructed by customs which exclude heathen women 
from hearing the Gospel from the other sex. This 
suggested to benevolent ladies to undertake the rescue 
of these women by female agency, and after much 
deliberation they organized the society above named, 
March 30, 1869, especially for this purpose. Appear- 
ing at the General Conference of 1872 by memorials 
and committee, that body indorsed the measure, and 
commended it to the patronage of the Avhole Church. 
It is undoubtedly another agency for good, and will 
contribute to swell the tide of grace at home and 
abroad. It is designed to work in harmony with our 
General Missionary Society, and all our other appli- 
ances. Its organization is very complete for the 
time it has been in operation, extending its agencies 
all over the country, enlisting many ladies who have 
the time and ability to render it important service. 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



533 



It has 1,839 auxiliaries; 54,160 members; publishes 
The Heathen Woman's Friend; supports 19 mission- 
aries, 100 schools, 108 Bible women and teachers, 
150 orphans; and raised, in 1874, ^55,406.26. It 
has done a noble work, and is destined to be a pow- 
erful agency in Christianizing the heathen world. 

And while I am writing of missions, I may as 
well anticipate another point suggested by the follow- 
ing heading: 

THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR BENEVOLENCES IMPROVED. 

We have already hinted at the organization of 
our parent benevolent societies, each of which was 
first largely managed by boards selected by them- 
selves. This imposed great responsibility upon a 
few persons in and about New York and Philadel- 
phia, and left other parts of the Church little to do 
in the matter except to furnish the funds. Seeing 
that such an arrangement was liable to give dissatis- 
faction, measures were devised to bring all our benev- 
olences under the control of the General Confer- 
ence. By an arrangement of its last session that body 
now appoints the boards and exercises certain juris- 
diction with regard to benevolent appropriations that 
seem to respect the rights of all parties, and insure 
a wise administration. The measure had long- been 
contemplated with favor, for reasons which we need 
not state, but appeared impertinent, so long as that 
body was composed of ministers only. It would 
have seemed to be an immodest assumption of power. 
But when laymen came to represent their oww inter- 
ests the difficulty was removed, and the plan was 
adopted. (Dis. pp. 367-375-) 



534 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Now, the whole Church, as such, ministers and 
laymen, control every thing through the General 
Conference, by the General Missionary Committee, 
and the boards it appoints and instructs ; and the 
boards represent the whole Church rather than the 
localities where they assemble, and are less liable to 
be influenced by personal considerations and local 
affinities. And yet they are not above the people, 
who will furnish the funds no longer than they can 
see that they are expended with propriety. We are 
glad to make this concession to centralization, which 
we think objectionable in certain other applications. 

OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 18/2. 

The sixteenth General Conference was convened 
in Brooklyn, New York, from May ist to June 4th, 
and consisted of 292 clerical, and 129 lay delegates. 
We have sufficiently noticed a leading topic of the 
session, in treating of lay delegation. Another, 
hardly less interesting, was the famous excitement 
about the Book Concern, to which I shall glance in 
giving an outline of the history of that institution. 
I have already referred by anticipation, perhaps with 
sufficient fullness, to several other matters upon which 
it passed. It was especially distinguished for estab- 
lishing "District Conferences," to go into effect when 
and where the quarterly conference of any district 
should request it by a vote of the majority. The 
plan constitutes the traveling and local preachers, 
exhorters, district stewards, and the first Sunday- 
school superintendent of each charge members, re- 
quires them to convene twice a }'ear, and do a large 
part of the business heretofore done by the quarterly 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



535 



conferences. (See Dis., pp. 60-63.) Some of the 
districts have approved of it, and the plan is now in 
process of experiment. It is evidently favored from 
different considerations. Many think it will be useful 
in keeping out of the ministry a class of men who 
found their way into it too easily through the 
quarterly conferences. Others hope that the balance 
of the business of the quarterly conferences will be 
transferred to the district conferences, and pastors 
appointed to preside over them, and thus supersede 
the presiding eldership in such districts as may feel 
that they have little need of them. But still others 
favor the measure, believing that it will dignify the 
presiding eldership, and render it more useful and 
acceptable to all concerned. The Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South, which originated the scheme, 
speaks favorably of the district conference meetings, 
yet ominously suggests that if they shall operate to 
depreciate the quarterly-meeting conferences, they 
will prove injurious rather than helpful. The plan 
will evidently need considerable modification to be- 
come generally popular. But it is safe, being left 
optional with each district to adopt it or not. 

THE MINARD HOME. 

The reader of these pages must have been im- 
pressed with the Providential origin of most of our 
institutions. Another instance is found in this 
Home, Abel Minard, of Morristown, New Jersey, 
who died January 31, 1871, was moved to leave a 
house and lot in Morristown, probably worth fifty 
thousand dollars, to be used as a home for female chil- 
dren of our foreign missionaries, and for female orphans 



536 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and half orphans of other ministers of our Church. 
The institution being presented to this General Con- 
ference, out of debt, and without funds, was accepted 
and commended to the patronage of the Church. It 
is probably the beginning of an establishment that 
will be found very useful. The Church that cares 
for orphans will never die. (Journal pp. 353, 374.) 

MORTALITY AMONG THE BISHOPS. 

This Conference was remarkable also for its funeral 
records. Four bishops had fallen and were honored 
with appropriate memorial services. 

Bishop Osmon C. Baker was born at Marlow, 
New Hampshire, July 30, 181 3; graduated at the 
Wesleyan University in 1834; became a member of 
the New Hampshire Conference, in which he served 
three years as pastor, one as presiding elder, but 
more as teacher in Newbury Seminar}^ and the Theo- 
logical Institute, at Concord. In 1852, he was elected 
bishop. Four years after, he was stricken with paralysis 
of his throat and lungs, while traveling in the moun- 
tains, from which he never recovered. December 2C, 
1871, he calmly fell asleep in Jesus. He was a sincere, 
pious, modest man ; a good preacher, teacher, and pre- 
siding officer, understood theology and the IMethodist 
economy better than most men, and was generally 
beloved. 

Bishop Davis W. Clark was bom in the Island 
of Mount Desert, off the coast of Maine-, February 
25, 181 2. He was early converted, and in 1836 
graduated from the Wesle}-an University. After 
teaching awhile at Amenia Seminary, he joined the 
New York Conference in 1843, ^.nd continued in the 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



537 



pastoral work till 1852, when he was elected editor 
of "The Ladies' Repository." In 1864 he was 
elected bishop, and gave himself fully to the episco- 
pal work. Six years after, his health began to fail ; 
but he worked on under great weakness, till he could 
do no more, and was carried to his home, where he 
closed his life. May 23, 1871, in the bosom of his 
family, nearly sixty years of age. He was a strong, 
decided, Christian man, minister, and bishop, and 
filled every position he was called to occupy with 
honor and usefulness. His closing words were, ' ' The 
Lord is my refuge and strength, a very present 
help in time of trouble. Amen, amen." 

Bishop Edward Thomson was born in Portsea, 
England, October 12, 18 10, and, eight years after, 
came to this country with his parents, and lived in 
Wooster, Ohio. At the age of nineteen he graduated, 
and began the practice of medicine. Two years 
after, he was converted; and, in 1832, joined the 
Ohio Conference, and spent six years in the pastoral 
service ; five as principal of Norwalk Seminary ; two 
as editor of "The Ladies' Repository;" fourteen as 
president of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and four 
as the editor of the Chiistian Advocate, terminating 
in 1864, when he was elected bishop. On his way 
to the Pittsburg Conference he was seized with pneu- 
monia in the city of Wheeling, and passed from labor 
to reward, March 22, 1870, before any one of his 
family could reach him. Bishop Thomson was a 
man of deep piety, fine taste, tender heart, extensive 
reading, a charming preacher and writer, and gener- 
ally beloved. He lived just at the time and place 
where his rare talents were needed, and could be 



538 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



turned to the best account. Though small in stature, 
he was great in every position he occupied, even in 
the love of his opponents. He did not have to seek 
popularity — he was made for it, and could not avoid 
it. He hardly had the voice and presidential bearing 
necessary to control a large conference of Methodist 
preachers, yet he ruled well even here. 

Bishop Calvin Kingsley entered life in Oneida 
County, New York, September 8, 1812. It is rather 
remarkable that two of these honored bishops were 
born the same year, and another less than two years 
before; and all died about the same time. Bishop 
Kingsley was converted at the age of eighteen, gradua- 
ted at Alleghany College in 1841, immediately became 
one of its professors, and was admitted to the Erie Con- 
ference. He was elected editor of the Western Chns- 
tian Advocate in 1856, in which position he remained 
till 1864, when he was elected to the office of bishop. 
In the Winter of 1869-70, he went to China and 
India. On his way home he passed through Pales- 
tine; and having secured his passage from Beyroot 
to Constantinople, to visit our missions in Bulgaria, 
he went upon the house-top to enjoy a view of the 
Mountains of Lebanon. Upon his return to his 
room, he was seized with an affection of the heart, 
and soon expired. Love demanded the return of his 
remains to his home, but Christian heroism said no, 
let him sleep where he fell. So, our brother Kings- 
ley lies in that far-off land, ''held," says his eulogist, 
"by the heathen as a hostage till the Church shall 
bring them to God. God took Moses up into Mount 
Nebo to die. So with Kingsley ; the eyes of the 
whole world were upon him in his wonderful journey. 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



539 



Let his grave remain where it is." (Journal, 1872, 
pp. 258-270.) 

But, "though God takes away his workmen, he 
still carries on his work." To human eyes, it would 
seem that such heavy losses in the leaders of Israel 
must seriously retard the cause; but still it moves 
right on, showing that God is not dependent on any 
one man, or any number of men — a humiliating fact, 
which we are too slow to appreciate. 

NEW BISHOPS ELECTED. 

In view of this heavy drain upon the Episcopal 
Board, the conference elected eigJit new bishops, to 
wit : Thomas Bowman, William L. Harris, Randolph 
S. Foster, Isaac W. Wiley, Stephen M. Merrill, Ed- 
ward G. Andrews, Gilbert Haven, and Jesse T. Peck. 
It also fixed the reside7ices of all the bishops, distrib- 
uting them over the continent from Boston to San 
Francisco, and from Chicago to Georgia, and not 
leaving them to select residences for themselves, as 
they had previously done. This arrangement, how- 
ever, did not disturb the older bishops. Bishop 
Morris being released from full duty, returned to his 
home in Springfield, Ohio, where he ended his long 
and useful life in peace, September 2, 1874, in the 
eighty-first year of his age, and the sixtieth of his 
ministry. "All who knew him in the vigor of his 
manhood will bear witness that he deserves to take 
rank among the foremost men of his time. To the 
charming simplicity, both of tastes and manners, 
which eminently characterized him in all the walks 
of life, he added the graces of a genuine nature and 
a beautiful Christian character. As a preacher, he 



540 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



was chaste, sincere, and, many times, greatly elo- 
quent. As a bishop, he was considerate, careful, and 
judicious, and never forgetful of the most humble of 
his brethren. He was by nature reticent; but no 
heart ever throbbed with more genial and genuine 
sympathies. . . . His life on earth was a beau- 
tiful round of charity and faith, and his death a se- 
rene and fitting end to such a character and career." 
The following table exhibits a complete list of the 

BISHOPS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



July 5, 



Born. 



Sept. 9, 
Aug. 20, 



Aug. 2, 
Aug. I, 
Jan'y 7, 



1747 
1745 
^735 
1757 
1768 
1778 
1781 
1780 
1794 



Apr. II, 1789 Joh 



Apr. 28, 
May 10, 
Apr. 27, 



June 10, 
July 30, 
Mar. 20, 
Dec. 5, 
Feb. 25, 
Oct. — , 
Sept. 8, 



1794 

1797 

1807 

1802 

1810 

181 

1806 

1809 

1812 

1810 

1812 



Inly 15, 
Nov. 4, 
Feb. 22, 
Mar. — , 
Sep. 16, 
Aug. 7, 
Sept. 21, 
Apr. 4, 



T817 

1817 

182- 

182 

182 

T825 

1821 

181 



Names. 



Thomas Coke 

Francis Asbury 

Richard Whatcoat 

William M'Kendree... 

Enoch George 

Robert R. Roberts 

Jos h 11a Soitle'--- 

Elijah Hedding 

J a vies Osg' d Andrew''- 

n Emor}^ 

Beverly Waugh 

Thomas A. Morris 

Leonidas L. Hamlinef 
Edmund Storer Janes.. 

Levi Scott 

Matthew Simpson 

Osmon C. Baker 

Edward R. Ames 

Francis Burns t 

Davis Wasgatt Clark... 

Edward Thomson 

Calvin Kingsley 

John W. Roberts J 

Thos. Bowman 

William L. Harris 

Randolph S. Foster 

Isaac W. \Mley 

Stephen W. Merrill 

Edward G. Andrews... 

Gilbert Haven 

Jesse T. Peck 



Ent'd Minis'y 



Confer'ce Y'r. 



Brit. Was. 
Brit. Wes. 
Brit. Wes. 
M. E. C'h 
M. E. C'h 
Baltimore 
NewYork 
N. Eng'ld 
S. Carol'a 

Phila 

Bal timore 

Ohio 

Ohio 

Phila 

Phila 

Pittsburg 
N. Hamp. 

Illinois 

Liberia.... 
NewYork 

Ohio 

Erie 

Liberia. ... 
Baltimore 
Michigan 

Ohio 

Phila 

Ohio 

Oneida.... 
N. Eng'd. 
Oneida. ... 



1778 
1766 
1769 



1790 
1802 

1799 
1801 
1813 
1810 
180Q 
1816 
183.3 
1830 
1826 
1833 
1839 
1830 
1838 



1833 
1841 
1838 
1839 
1837 
1837 
1851 
1846 



REM.A.RKS. 



784iDied ^Nlaj- 3, 1814. 
784|Died March 31, 1816. 
SoojDied July 5, 1806. 
808 Died "March 5, 1835. 
8i6'Died August 23, 1828. 
8i6'Died IMarch 28, 1843. 
824iDied :March 6, 1867. 
824!Died April 9, 1852. 
832, Died March i, 1871. 
832iDied Dec. 16, 1835. 
836!Died Feb. 9, 1858. 
836|Died Sept. 2, 1874. 
844 Died March 22, 1865. 
844lResidence, NewYork 
852jRes.. Odessa, Del. 
852lResidence, PhiladeVa 
852lDied Dec. 20, 1871. 
852|Residence, Baltimore 
858iDied April 18, 1863. 
864 Died May 23, 1871. 
864lDied March 22, 1870. 
864! Died April 6, 1S70. 
866iDied, 1S74. 
872 Residence, St. Louis. 
872;Residence, Chicago. 
872iRes., Cincinnati. 
872jResidence, Boston. 
872. Residence. St. Paul. 
S72 Res., Des Moines, I'a. 
872 Res., Atlanta, Ga. 
872lRes., San Francisco. 



In the follo\ving table we give a view of our 
Missions, which will be instructive to man}' readers. 

* Entered M. E. Church South, 1846. f Resigned the ofTice in 1S52. 
J IMissionary Bishops, their episcopal jurisdiction being restricted to the 
Liberia Conference. 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS, 



Scholars 



Day-schools 



Scholars 



Sunday-schools | : : fo " 2 n" 



Other Benevolent 
Contributions 



DO 00 o 
d\ cT d\ 



Missionary Collec- 
tions 



ir, o M H 
00 U-> N 



Probable Value.... 



oo O . CO 



Parsonages. 



Probable Value 



On O O 00 



O ro^O On coco h 



Churches. 



Probationers. 



O •OvOMDOnO\hvO 
.'^-c^HO^(NO^T^^ 



Members 



o^ o\ : vo 



Native Preachers.. | 



0\ On^ 00 ro : vo 



Missionaries of the 
W. F. M. S 



Assistant Mission- 
aries 



CO U-) N 10 W 



American Mission- 
aries 



01 H ro 1 



CO 

y = 2 • ? 

c 



<;crjWU20p;2;cA;h:;pQWH:^ AS 



























'id 
















rt '5 





542 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



TERRITORIES. 







Members 


0 


t-' 
0 
0 


Chu 




p 






Missions. 


o" 

B 

P 

f?' 


)ationers 


il Prchs. 


rches .... 


)able 


lonages.. | 


jable 
due 


iionary 
)llections 




3 

ID 


13 
124 


8 


I 


I 


$5,000 
11,000 










7 


4 


4 


3 


$4,500 


$50 00 


Total 


13 


137 


15 


5 


5 


$16,000 


3 


$4,500 


$50 00 



DOMESTIC MISSIONS— FOREIGN POPULATIONS. 





MisF 


(T> 


Prol 


Loc; 


Chu 


13 

<:o 


Par.' 






Missions. 


0' 

p 


nbers 


0' 


p 
|r 


rchei 


xable 
ilue . 


ionag 


jable 


lionai 
)llecti 




n' 




n> 


chs. 












Welsh 


2 


118 




6 


2 


$2,500 
542,100 
183,675 










201 


9,761 
4,678 
18 


1,805 
781 


129 
63 


214 
65 


104 
28 


$122,140 
31,450 


$6,037 33 
3,129 17 




42 




2 








10 


1,166 


380 


23 


14 


22,600 


7 


6,900 


138 91 


Total 


257 


15,741 


2,966 


221 


295 


$750,875 


139 


$160,490 


$9,305 41 



The German work is particularly worthy of notice. 
We referred to its origin in connection with the con- 
version of Dr. Nast, who was our first missionary to 
that people in 1836. What has come of that little 
beginning may be fairly inferred from the following: 



STATISTICS FOR 1 8/4. 











n 




w 


,0 






:ine 
Pre 


,oca 
Pre 


^% 


3' 




II 




n 
3- 

0 


CONFERKNCES. 


n P 


n 


: 


n 


ona: 




3"!/ 


lars 




rs 


n> 


'. n 




IK) 

rc 














: 3 








: a. 






114 


95 


^1,516 


170 


69 


168 


1,897 


9,818 




62 


52 


5,454 


89 


46 


103 


953 


4,677 


East German 


44 


27 


3,421 


38 


20 


51 


790 


4,429 


(Germany and Switzerla'd 


74 


48 


8,921 


46 


35 


262 


1,051 


11,662 


North-west German 


69 


48 


5,028 


73 


40 


114 


927 


3,870 




16 


7 


511 


9 


6 


17 


83 


473 




118 


146 


10,033 


169 


69 


190 


1,818 


8,698 


Total 


497 


423 


44,884 


594 


285 


905 


7,519 


43,227 




454 


408 


42,642 


546 


262 


820 


7,084 


40,960 


Net increase for year. 


43 


15 


2,242 


48 


23 


85 


435 


2,258 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



543 



THE NUMERICAL PROGRESS 

of our Church affords many interesting and profita- 
ble lessons. As it is only to be obtained from cum- 
brous volumes within the reach of but few, I have 
tabulated the following figures, which I am sure will 
often be useful. While they reveal our general pro- 
gress, they furnish painful instances of retrogres- 
sion. We have no statistics prior to the first period 
named: 

OFFICIAL REPORTS OF MEMBERS SINCE 1772. 



Year. 



1773 
1774 
1775 
1776 
1777 
1778 
1779 
1780 
1781 
1782 
1783 
1784 
1785 
1786 
1787 
1788 
1789 
1790 
179I 
1792 

1793 
1794 

1795 
1796 
1797 
1798 
1799 



White. 



1,160 
2,073 
3,148 
4,921 
6,968 
6,095 

8,577 
8,504 
10,539 
11,785 
13,740 
14,988 
18,000 
18,791 
21,949 
30,809 
35,019 
45,949 
50,385 
52, 109 
51,416 
52,794 
48, 121 

45,384 
46,445 
47,867 
49,115 



Colored. 



1,890 
3,893 

6,545 

8,243 
11,682 
12,884 

13,871 
16,227 

13,814 
12, 170 
I 1,280 
12,218 
12,302 
12,236 



Total. 



1, 160 

2,073 
3,148 
4,921 
6,968 
6,095 

8,577 
8,504 
10,539 
11,785 
13,740 
14,988 
18,000 
20,681 
25,842 

37,354 
43,262 

57,631 
63,269 
65,980 

67,643 
66,608 
60,291 
56,664 
58,663 
60, 169 
61,351 



Increase. 



913 
1,075 

1,873 
2,047 

2,482 

2,035 
1,246 

1,955 
1,248 
3,012 
2,681 
5,161 

11,512 
5,908 

14,369 
5,638 
2,71 1 
1,663 



1,999 
1,506 



Decrease. 



873 



73 



1,035 
6,317 
3,627 



Trav. 
Pr'ers 



10 
17 

25 
36 
29 

49 
42 

54 
59 

82 

83 
104 
117 

133 
166 
196 
227 
250 
266 
269 
301 
313 
233 
263 
267 
272 



544 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Yea 


MEMBERS. 


PREACHERS. 




White. 


Colored. 


Ind's. 


Total. 


Increase. 


Dec'se. 


Trav. 


Local. 


1800 


51,442 


13,452 




64,894 


3,543 




287 




1801 


57,186 


15,688 




72,874 


7,980 




307 




1802 


68,075 


18,659 




86,734 


13,860 




358 




1803 


81,617 


22,453 




104,070 


17,336 




383 




1804 


89,603 


23,531 




113,134 


9,064 




400 




1805 


95,629 


24,316 




119,945 


6,811 




433 




1806 


103,313 


27,257 




130,570 


10,625 




452 




1807 


114,727 


29,863 

30,308 




144,590 


14,020 




516 




1808 


121,687 




151,995 


7,405 




540 




1809 


131,154 


31,884 




163,038 


11,043 




597 




1810 


139,836 


34,724 




174,560 


11,522 




636 




1811 


148,835 


35,732 




184,567 


10,007 




685 




1812 


156,852 


38,505 




195,357 


10,790 




716 




1813 


171,448 


42,859 




214,307 


18,950 


3,178 


700 




1814 


168,698 


42,431 




211,129 




729 




1815 


167,978 


43,187 




211,165 




36 


729 










1816 


171,931 


42,304 




214,235 


3,070 




695 




1817 


181,442 


43,411 




224,853 


10,618 




716 




1818 


190,477 


39,150 




229,627 


4,774 




748 




1819 


201,750 


39,174 




240,924 


11,229 




812 




1820 


219,332 


40,558 




259,890 


18,966 




896 




1821 


239,087 


42,059 




281,146 


21,256 




977 




1822 


252,645 


44,377 




297,022 


15,876 




1,106 




1823 


267,618 


44,922 




312,540 


15,518 




1,226 




1824 


280,427 


48,096 




328,523 


15,983 




1,272 




1825 


298,658 


49,537 




348,195 


19,672 




1,314 
1,406 




1826 


309,550 


51,334 




360,884 


12,689 






1827 


327,932 


54,065 




381,997 


21,113 




1,576 




I OZO 


361,562 


59,056 


538 


421,156 


39, 1 50 




1,642 




1829 


382,679 


62,814 


2,250 


447,143 


29,805 




1,817 




1830 


402,561 


69,383 


4,209 


476,153 


28,410 




1,900 




183 1 


437,024 


71,589 


4,501 


513,114 


37,114 




2,010 




1832 


492,364 


73,817 


2,412 


548,593 


35,479 




2,200 




1833 


519,196 


78,293 


2,247 


599,736 


51,143 




2,395 




1834 


553,134 


83,156 


2,494 


638,784 


39,048 




2,625 




1835 


566,957 


83,135 


2,436 


652,528 


13,744 




2,758 




1836 


564,974 


82,296 


2,833 


650,678 




1,840 


2,981 












1837 


570,123 


76,240 


2,695 


658,157 


5,542 




3,147 


4,954 


1838 


615,212 


79,236 


2,101 


696,549 


41,933 




3,322 


5,792 


1839 


650,357 


87,197 


2,249 


740,459 


43,910 




3,557 


5,856 


1840 


484,761 


93,587 


1,750 


■•^'580,098 


272,820 


60,361 


2,263 


4,935 


184I 


748,442 


102,158 


2,318 


852,918 


57,473 




3,865 


6,393 



- These are the returns from nineteen conferences, leaving toi out of the 
reckoning, owing to the General Conference having ordered that the minutes 
should close with the New York Conference. 



GR 0 WTH AND PRO GRESS. 



545 



Year 


MEMBERS. 


preach'rs. 


White. 


Colored. 


Ind's. 


Total. 


Increase 


Decrease. 


Trav. 


Local. 


1842 
1843 
1844 
1845 
1846 

1847 
1848 

1849 
1850 


803,988 
936,736 
1,021,818 
985,698 
613,125 
600,941 
608,978 

632,773 
660, 5 1 1 


107,296 
128,410 

145,409 
150, 120 

30,515 
29,901 

29,254 
28,590 
28,139 


2,617 

3,379 
4,129 
3,769 
659 
716 

834 
953 
1,032 


913,901 
1,068,525 
1,171,356 
1,139,587 

644,299 

631,558 
639,066 
662,315 
689,682 


60,983 
154,624 
102,831 

7,508 

23,249 
27,367 


31,769 
-■■'495,288 
12,741 


4,044 
4,286 
4,621 
4,828 
3,582 
3,642 
3,841 
4,023 
4,129 


7,144 
7,730 
8,087 

8,ici 
4,935 
4,913 
5,191 
5,154 
5,420 



From this year, no distinction is made in the 
color of our membership, and the statistics of mem- 
bers and probationers are as follows: 







MEMBERS. 




PREACHERS, 
















Year. 


















Members. 


Prob'ers. 


Total. 


Increase. 


Decr'se 


Trav. 


Local. 


1851 


621,905 


99,899 


721,804 


32, 122 




4,450 


5,700 


1852 


638,530 


90, 170 


728,700 


6,896 




4,513 


5,767 


1853 


648,680 


103,957 


732,637 


3,937 




5,100 


6,061 


1854 


679,282 


104,076 


783,358 


50,721 




5^83 


6,149 


1855 


692,255 


107,176 


799,431 


16,073 




5,408 


6,610 


1856 


698,317 


102,010 


800,327 


896 




5,877 


6,718 


1857 


709,968 


110,551 


820,519 


20, 192 




6,134 


7,169 


1858 


768,000 


188,555 


956,555 


136,036 




6,502 


7,530 


1859 


832,657 


141,688 


974,345 


17,790 




6,877 


7,904 


i860 


859,726 


134,721 


994,447 


20, 102 




6,987 


8,188 


1861 


865,446 


123,077 


988,523 




1,924 


6,934 


8,359 


1862 


843,401 


99,505 


942,906 




45,617 


6,655 


8,216 


1863 


822,845 


100,549 


923,394 




19,512 


6,788 


8,156 


1864 


829,379 


98,941 


928,320 




1,608 


6,821 


8,205 


1865 


822,71 1 


106,548 


929,259 


6,668 




7,175 


8,493 


1866 


871,113 


161,071 


1,032, 184 


102,925 




7,576 


8,602 


1867 


971,866 


174,215 


1, 146,081 


113,897 




8,004 


9,469 


1868 


1,060,265 


194,850 


1,255,115 


109,034 




8,481 


9,899 


1869 


1,114,712 


184,226 


1,298,938 


43,823 




8,830 


10,340 


1870 


1,173,099 


194,035 


1,367,134 


68,196 




9,193 


1 1,404 


1871 


1,231,008 


190,315 


1,421,323 


51,189 




9,699 


11,382 


1972 


1,272,496 


185,915 


1,458,441 


37,118 




10,212 


11,964 


1873 


1,288,704 


175,321 


1,464,027 


5,586 




10,571 


12,261 


1874 


1,345,089 


218,432 


1,563,521 


99,494 




10,854 


12,581 



This heavy decrease resulted from the separation of the Southern Confer- 
ences, laefore mentioned. 

46 



546 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



. The membership of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church was, therefore, 

In 1800, as I to 82 of the population. 

In 1810, as I to 41^ 

In 1820, as I to 37 

In 1830, as I to 271^ 

In 1840, as I to 29;^ 

In 1850, as I to 333^ 

In i860, as I to 312^ 

In 1870, as I to 30^ 

In 1874, as I to 27 

But this "does not give the full strength of Meth- 
odism in this country. To complete the showing we 
need to add the following: 

GENERAL SUMMARY OF METHODISTS IN THE UNITED 
STATES, 



II. 



Churches. 

Episcopal Methodist — 

Methodist Episcopal 

Methodist Episcopal South... 
Colored Methodist Episcopal. 
African Methodist Episcopal. 
African Methodist Epis. Zion 

Evangelical Association 

United Brethren 

Total 

Non-Episcopal Methodist — 

The Methodist Church 

Methodist Protestant 

American Wesleyan 

Free Methodist 

Primitive Methodist 

Total 



Itinerant 
Ministers. 



10,845 
3,371 
635 
600 
694 

737 
967 



17,749 



624 

423 
250 
90 
20 



1,407 



Local 
Preachers. 



12,706 

5,344 

683 
1,300 
1,416 
476 
742 



22,667 



300 
250 
190 
80 
25 



,845 



Lay Rlem- 
bers. 



1,563,521 
667,885 

67,888 
200,000 
164,000 

90,249 
120,445 



2,873,988 



65,000 
65,000 
20,000 
6,000 
2,000 



58,000 



This gives us a grand total of 19,156 traveling 
ministers; 24,512 local preachers; and 3,031,988 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



547 



members; which is about as one Methodist to every 
thirteen and two-thirds of the whole population ac- 
cording to the last census. 

To estimate, however, the full effect of this won- 
derful work of God, it is necessary to consider how 
many have been converted or otherwise benefited 
and gone to swell the ranks of the heavenly hosts, 
how many stand connected with other Churches who 
have felt its hallowing influence, and how many still 
linger in the various Wesleyan connections in other 
countries. Of the latter class, the following table 
furnishes a pretty accurate statement : 





PREACHERS. 




Foreign. 






Members. 




Trav. 


Local. 




British Wesleyan Conference 


1,715 


13,720 


376,439 




152 


760 


20, 740 




28 


96 


2 112 






1,438 


66'686 


Primitive Methodist Churches 


1,020 


14,838 


164,660 


Methodist New Connection 


240 


1,270 


33,563 




358 


3>36i 


66,909 




244 


1,747 


26,878 




365 


148 


8,109 


Methodist Church of Canada 


1,004 


1,027 


102,887 


Methodist EjDiscopal Church of Canada... 


236 


214 


22,641 


Total 


5>7io 


38^^9 


891,524 



Add these to the foregoing, and we find that 
Methodism in its several branches numbers 24,866 
travehng preachers; 63,131 local preachers; and 
3,923,512 members; all claiming to belong to the 
spiritual family first organized by John Wesley about 
one hundred and thirty-six years ago. It will be 
seen from these tables that Methodism readily adapts 
itself to the social life of all countries, and may fairly 
claim to be catholic in character, doctrine, and polity. 



548 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



But let us return to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. It is an interesting fact that our care for 
the heathen has not retarded the work at home. 
Other indications of growth and strength appear in 
the following table of 



OFFICIAL STATISTICS FOR 1 8/4. 



Church Interests. 



Bishops. 

Annual Conferences 

Itinerant Preachers 

Local Preachers 

Total Preachers 

Total Laj^ Members 

Church Edifices 

Value of Church Edifices 

Parsonages 

Value of Parsonages 

Total Valu.e Church Property.. 

Sunday-schools 

S. S. Officers and Teachers 

Sunday-school Scholars 

Total Teachers and Scholars... 



80 
10,845 
12,706 
23,551 
1,563,521 
14,989 
$69,049,523 
4,989 
$9,467,170 
$78,516,693 
18,958 
203,409 
1,383,227 
1,586,636 



4 
274 
445 
719 
99,494 
460 

$2,716,943 
3" 
$924,616 

$3,641,559 
927 

16, 
64,624 
74," 



2,015 
2,366 
' 4,381 
264,583 
2,941 
$22,796,456 
1,021 
$2,604,940 
$25,401,396 
2,565 
18,813 
203,24: 
222,056 



4,024 
4,501 
8,525 
635,101 
4,974 
$45,268,013 
2,136 
$6,677,020 
$51,945,033 
5,805 
54-934 
523,527 
578,461 



That God has greatly favored us will appear, per- 
haps, still more forcibly when we consider the for- 
tunes of other denominations, some of which had 
been in operation in this country nearly a centurr 
and a half, when Methodism made its first appear- 
ance. Besides, at its outset it had to encounter 
prejudices long fostered, and preach a theology 
which, though not new, had long been overshad- 
owed by the teachings of opposing Churches. But 
it approved itself to the hearts and consciences of 
men by its fruits. It proclaimed the Gospel of a 
free and universal salvation, and called upon all 
sinners every-where to repent and be saved. The 
following table is based on the census of 1870, and 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



549 



will show in some respects the status of the differ- 
ent sects: 



Denominations. 



Baptist ^regular) 

Baptist (other) 

Christian 

Congregational 

Episcopal (Protestant) 

Evangelical Association 

Friends 

Jewish 

Lutheran 

Methodist 

Miscellaneous 

Moravian (Unitas Fratrum).. 

Mormon 

New Jerusalem (Swedenb'n) 

Presbyterian (regular) 

Presbyterian (other) 

Ref. Ch. in Am. (late Dutch) 
Ref.Ch. in U.S. (late Germ.) 

Roman Catholic 

Second Advent 

Shaker 

Spiritualist 

Unitarian 

United, Brethren in Christ... 

Universalist 

Unknown (Local Missions).. 
Unknown (Union) 

Total 





W 


H 


M 




c 


H a. 

°° 5i 








n 


0 0 
. ft 


? ffq 


0 fT> 


0 ft 


ft 
f 




: ^ 


i ■< 


i 

— '- 




12,857 


3,997,116 
363,019 


$39,229,221 


$11,020,855 


1,355 


1,105 


2,378,977 


153,115 
853,386 


3,578 


2,822 


865,602 


6,425,137 


2,887 
2,835 


2,715 


1,117,212 


25,069,698 


8,001,99s 


2,601 


991,051 


36,514,549 


11,375,010 


815 


641 


193,796 


2,301,650 


118,250 
1,713,767 


692 


662 


224,664 


3,939,560 


189 


152 


73,265 


5,155,234 


418,600 


3,032 


2,776 


977,332 


14,917,747 


2,909,711 


25,278 


21,337 


6,528,209 


69,854,121 


14,825,070 


27 


17 


6,935 


135,650 


214,530 
444,167 


72 


67 


25,700 


709,100 
656,750 


189 


171 


87,838 


84,780 




61 


18,755 


869,700 


115,100 
14,543,789 


6 6° 
1,562 


c- AS-, 

5,003 


2j 198,900 


47,828,732 
5,436,524 


1,388 
468 


499,344 


27,550 


471 


227,228 


10,359,255 


4,116,280 
993,780 


1,256 


1,145 


431,700 


5,775,215 
60,985,566 
306,240 


4,127 


3,806 


1,990,514 


9,256,758 


225 


140 


34,555 


11,190 


18 


18 


8,850 


86,900 


39,500 


95 


22 


6,970 


100,150 






331 


310 


155,471 


6,282,675 


3,280,822 


1,445 


937 


265,025 


1,819,810 


18,600 


719 


602 


210,884 


5,692,325 
687,800 


1,778,316 


26 


27 


11,925 


98,950 


409 


552 


153,202 


965,295 


915,020 


72,459 


63,082 


21,665,062 


$354,483,581 


$87,328,891 



When it is remembered how weak and poor the 
Church was but a few years ago, these figures seem 
amazing. But not more so than the following re- 
cently prepared by Dr. De Puy, combining our 

VARIOUS COLLECTIONS FOR 1 8/4. 

Conference Collections, ...... $1,092,673 

Miscellaneous Collections, ...... 170,000 

Expenses for Sunday-schools, ..... 466,087 

Expenses for New Churches and Church Improvements, 3,641,559 

Expenses for Local jNTission Work, .... 217,790 

Expenses for Salaries of Ministers, .... 9,760,420 

Local Church Expenses, ...... 2,290,105 

Total $17,54^8,934 



550 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



That the reader may see how these interests are 
distributed, we give another table of statistics, repre- 
senting the facts as reported at the close of 1874: 



Conferences. 



Alabama 

Arkansas 

Baltimore 

California 

Central German.. 
Central Illinois ... 
Cent. New York. 

Central Ohio 

Central Penn 

Chicago German. 

Cincinnati 

Colorado 

Delaware 

Des Moines 

Detroit 

East Or. & Wash. 

East German 

East jNIaine 

Erie 

Florida 

Georgia 

Ger. and Switz... 

Holston 

Illinois 

India 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Lexington 

Liberia 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

jNIississippi 

Missouri 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

Newark 

New England 

New Hampshire. 

New Jersey 

New York 

New York East... 
North Carolina... 
Nor. New York .. 

North Indiana 

North Ohio 

N. W. German.... 
N. W. Indiana. .. 





MEMBERS. 


iv'g Pr 


Total 
ber: 


Incre 
Dec 


rt 








: g 






\ 3 


? % 


81 


10908 


1813 


36 


5396 


615 


193 


j2204 


278 


133 


914I 


1743 


114 


1 1516 


305 


249 


26179 


1900 


282 




886 


156 


23354 


762 


217 




4081 


62 


"^5454 




172 


35894 


lOQQ 


20 


2089 


398 


52 


11834 


724 


142 


18200 


882 


246 


23107 


1313 


18 


1369 


1369 






155 


97 


10590 






38028 


160Q 






259 


90 


15118 


618 


74 


8921 


408 


100 


24454 


875 


248 




3875 
217 


46 


1 567 






1767 


9 


20280 


^32 
^6738 


108 


121-^6 


93 


19162 


698 


60 


8396 




19 


2032 




74 


11737 


968 

^/25 


138 


13340 


225 


26592 


1346 


141 


12678 


443 


121 


30343 
18666 




124 


3500 


89 


8693 


1286 


17 


496 


d 25 


208 


36330 


3483 


264 


30156 


1476 


127 


14408 


598 


175 


35101 


3953 


273 


44310 


254 


266 


42262 


2224 


37 


9131 


868 


233 


26052 


1631 


170 


31834 


2430 


163 


21994 


d 106 


69 


502 8 


312 


152 


2 5080 


1939 



sunday-sch'ls 



o 



5153 
272 1904 
5093 32534 
1612' 12217 
1897I 9818 
3912! 771 
4430126418 
3948,25853 
6333138994 
953i 4677 
46i6|33554 
4291 2930 
1115! 6866 
2603:17373 
4025 26745 

1141 599 
790: 4429 
^463! 9266 
6142 40129 
105! 1090 
724I 746c 
io5i|ii662 
1438: 10226 
5226-8353 
199, 3691 
3406,24318 
3264:20382 
846 



1268 
3^1 
169 
375 
1669 
4992 
376 
533 
1705 
1014 
160 
4890 



8437 
2630 
1177 

4857 
1 1 70S 
30667 
14572 
9023 
11180 
6686 
805 
3529: 



4188133055 
1772 14400 



5345 
5963 
59S5 
516 
5612 
4152 



32404 
38009 
44716 
5124 
20863 
:o6io 



3577123550 
927 3870 
:!i38i222n 



CHURCH PKOPERTY. 



Q 










0 


p 






w cr 




p cr 




i"^ 


0 
u 


c' — 


n 


: " 


ges ...j 


: 


117 


$42,452 


2 


$900 


44 


57,910 


23^ 


535 


359 


2,718,400 


73 


309,200 
67,700 


III 


649,775 


72 


170 


583,500 


69 


104,400 


320 


1,017,950 


129 


170,825 


297K 


1,869,211 
788,885 


165 


332,144 


297K 


70 


105,950 


392 


1,606,910 


02 


213,600 


89 


315,350 


46 


39,125 
208,950 


367 


1,882,200 


79 


26J< 


128,100 


6 


8,500 


173 


197,200 


12 


6,643 


130 


342,300 


77 


58,^50 


237 


1,505,500 


123 


180,825 


7 


10,000 


6 


10,600 


38 


494,400 


20 


72,500 


106 


361,800 


54 


53,400 




2,242,800 


172 


297,375 


35 


17,968 


4 


1,160 


171 


65,632 
291,673 


9 


1,128 


46 


35 






208 


162,060 


9 


6,650 


430^^ 


1,430,715 


137 


198,90c 




24,725 


26 


41,300 


334/^ 


735,325 


74 


85,300 


238 


578,940 


73 


66,674 


55 


183,100 


33 


37,850 


160-% 


395,550 


12 


19,900 


59 


135,825 


7 


3.450 


24 


10,690 


4 


6,975 


77 


231,996 


9 


3-925 


113 


559,400 


60 


77,450 


225 


1,174,000 


142 


193,150 


134 


536,025 


82 


80,550 


157 


132,405 


10 


5,900 




272,400 


36 


19,025 


50 


113,950 


33 


21,000 




62,100 


15 


14,150 


243 


2,776,350 


109 


522,100 


183 ^ 


3,062,100 




348,600 


II7/2 


744,341 


67 


115.175 


260 


1,748,400 


96 


293,800 


376 


3,952,700 


175 


740,000 


282 


4,383,900 


137 


693,850 


lOO 


37,535 


I 


300 


245 


1,319,750 


148 

95^ 


232,955 


377 


938,540 


133,450 


304 


1,071,500 


70 


110,210 


73 




40 


3S,5,so 


271 


785^075 


73 


1 14.362 



GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 



Conferences. 



North-west Iowa. 

Ohio 

Oregon 

Philadelphia 

Pittsburg 

Providence 

Rock River 

Rocky Mountain. 
South Carolina ... 

S. E. Indiana 

Southern German 
Southern Illinois- 
South Kansas 

S. W. German 

St. Louis 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Troy 

Upper Iowa 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington 

West. New York. 

West Texas 

West Virginia 

West Wisconsin... 

Wilmington 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 



MEMBERS. 



4301 
39835 

3725 
43667 
62905 
20926 
25151 
694 
30676 
25877 
511 
25826 
12721 
10033 
16493 
11538 
17895 
34608 
19301 
11381 

6407 
26202 



29855 
12487 
26626 
15211 
27873 



02 



207 
526 
^1549 
4973 
7140 

1579 
802 
276 
4653 
630 
511 
1149 
2721 
1458 
483 
3749 
9 

2195 
196 

i/l42 

684 
1368 
402 



2952 
786 
1137 
^97 



sunday-sch'ls. 


CHURCH PROPERTY. 


m 




in 












'fficers 
Teacl 












0 
0 
ST 


0^ 


rch 


p_ cr 


;ona 


s 2: 




a> 


f 


n 




aq 
n 


: ^ 


















: P- 












110 


694 


3000 


18 


-p43,375 


21 


■pis, 590 


542 


5810 


41119 


503 


1,158,510 


104 


205,250 


77 


554 


4471 


64 


161,600 


33 


30,907 


356 


7191 


54634 


301 


3,328,195 
2,852,386 


78 


335,050 


619 


8236 


54104 


614 


77 


176,010 


180 


3093 


22442 


166 


1,611,755 
2, 176,669 


81 


206,200 


294 


3763 


29292 


245 


118 


206,600 


27 


166 


1301 


ioj4 


63,500 


3 


3,700 


207 


626 


9310 


183 


118,369 


10 


3,345 


268 


3055 


22176 


295 


892,400 


50 


57,400 


17 


83 


473 


9 


13,550 


6 


4,400 


353 


3291 


23799 


311^ 


600,125 


79 


09,725 


157 


1340 


8206 


43 


97,800 


41 


27,945 


190 


1818 


8698 


169 


461,720 


69 


75,550 


157 


1208 


9731 


124K 


456,685 


39 


43,400 


144 


730 


6688 


156K 


193,335 


5 


1,000 


106 


332 


54" 


67 


65,055 


6 


1,850 


389 


4720 


31869 


297 


2,404,360 
692,800 


149 


337,933 




2865 


21124 


192 


88 


89,487 


155 


1686 




114 


419, ■'■50 


87 




77 


631 


3323 


95 


118,050 
422,258 


10 


13,125 


238 


1588 


20219 


177 


19 


20,620 


313 


3594 


22487 


263 


1,546,840 


132 


230,000 


355 


3451 


18959 


365 


530,825 


43 


48,600 
58,800 


312 


2784 


16720 


170 


408,400 


76 


336 


4353 


24154 


312 


1,159,025 
807,950 


48 


127,060 
119,677 


228 


2476 


16350 


99 


426 


4778 


30455 


2gi 


1,318,140 


126 


252,570 



These eighty conferences are divided into 452 dis- 
tricts, under the supervision of the same number of 
presiding elders. They also furnish 195 presidents, 
professors, teachers, and agents to our colleges and 
schools, besides numerous chaplains, and other work- 
ers in the different departments of Christian effort. 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

We have deemed it advisable to present the fore- 
going statistics in prominent form, that the young 
reader may have a sort of starting point for his future 
calculations ; but they do not cover the whole ground. 
Though the fathers seemed to have the poorest kind 



552 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



of fortune for some sixty or seventy years in theii 
efforts to promote education, when they really made 
a beginning- they prospered, and no department of 
our work has succeeded better. We have glanced at 
the origin of some of our literary institutions, and 
have only room for a few other facts as to their 
present status. The following summary is believed 
to be nearly correct: Universities and Colleges, 
27, with 216 instructors and 5,900 students. Acad- 
emies (including collegiate institutes and female col- 
leges) and seminaries, 69, with 504 instructors and 
14, 100 students. The estimated value of university 
and college property is as follows: Buildings, libra- 
ries, apparatus, and furniture, ;^2,6i5,i37; endow- 
ment, .$1,928,123; total, $4,543,260. The property 
invested in seminaries, female colleges, and acad- 
emies, under the supervision of the Church, is over 
$2,000,000. The grand total in colleges and semi- 
naries, exclusive of theological institutions, is nearly 
$7,000,000. 

Besides these, we have the Boston Theological 
Seminary, which was opened in Concord, New Hamp- 
shire, in 1847, under the lead of Rev. John Demp- 
ster, D. D., who afterward took an active part in 
starting the Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, 
Illinois, which received its name and endowment of 
$300,000 from a Methodist lady of Chicago. These 
institutions, with the Drew Theological Seminary at 
Madison, New Jersey, and others, before named, fur- 
nish the Church a pretty complete outfit for this 
department of its labors. 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



553 



CHAPTER XVL 

THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN — ITS ORIGIN, OPERATIONS, 
AND PRESENT CONDITION. 

THIS establishment, as before stated, made a very- 
feeble beginning, in 1789, by the appointment 
of Rev. John Dickins editor and agent, under the 
title of Book Steward. The measure was the nat- 
ural result of the course adopted by Mr. Wesley at 
an early period in his public career. Undertaking a 
great and difficult work, with few to assist him, he 
availed himself of the press to a rem^arkable degree. 
Beginning with tracts, he advanced to pamphlets, 
and from pamphlets to books, until he had swept 
over the whole field of thought embraced in his com- 
prehensive scheme of usefulness, and became a prom- 
inent publisher of religious works. His means of 
sale, like his whole plan of operations, were peculiar. 
He relied on himself and his co-laborers. Those who 
desired to preach under his direction, he pledged to 
the sale of his books and tracts, as he pledged them 
to strictly ministerial duties. Thus, all his preachers 
became colporteurs, and were examined from time to 
time with regard to this part of their duty. "Take 
care," said he to them, ''that every society be duly 
supplied with books. O, why is not this regarded!" 
To Mr. Richard Rodda, one of his helpers, he wrote: 
"You are found to be remarkably diligent in spread- 

47 



554 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



ing the books ; let no man rob you of this glory. If 
you can spread the magazine it will do good; the 
letters therein are the marrow of Christianity." To 
place his motives beyond suspicion, he consecrated 
all the profits that might accrue to the cause of God 
and the benefit of his growing societies. Under this 
arrangement his first missionaries to this country in- 
troduced the books wherever they went. But as the 
work advanced it became necessary to have other 
books. This, together with the trouble and expense 
of obtaining supplies from England, led to the issue 
of various works on individual responsibility, which 
created some alarm for the unity of the Chiuxh. 

Mr. Dickins entered upon his duties in Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania, without one dollar of capital, and 
still charged with the responsibilities of the pastorate 
in an important Church. His first movement was to 
loan the Concern six hundred dollars of his own 
money, showing that he had confidence in the suc- 
cess of the enterprise. With this he republished 
the " Christian's Pattern," ]\Ir. Wesley's translation of 
''Thomas a Kempis, " a manual of piety, celebrated 
for its excellence through Christian Europe — a little 
work that had much to do with awakening the Wes- 
leys and Whitefield to a sense of their spiritual 
poverty. 

The same year he issued the Methodist "Dis- 
cipline," "Saints' Everlasting Rest," and the first 
volume of the Arniinian Magazine. In 1 790 por- 
tions of Fletcher's "Checks," and another volume 
of the magazine appeared. Thus he continued the 
sole manager of the business until 179/, when the 
conference, to assist him and doubly guard its press 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



555 



against any possible impurity, appointed a book 
committee to determine what should be published. 
Two years after, Mr, Dickins was called to his re- 
ward, lamented by all who knew him, having suc- 
cessfully laid the foundations of an institution which 
was to be second to no other of the kind in the 
world. The same year the Rev. Ezekiel Cooper was 
appointed to fill the vacancy. Under his skillful 
management the business continued to prosper. In 
1804 it was removed to the city of New York, and 
Rev. John Wilson was appointed assistant editor and 
book steward. Four years later Mr. Cooper re- 
signed, leaving the Concern worth about forty-five 
tJw2isand dollars, the net earnings of nineteen years. 
Mr. Wilson succeeded him, with Rev. Daniel Hitt 
as assistant. This year the agents were first released 
from the responsibilities of the pastorate, and left to 
give their entire attention to the l)usiness, preaching 
only as they might feel disposed. Mr. Wilson is said 
to have been an estimable man, a faithful minister, 
and a skillful agent. He conducted the business 
faithfully until 18 10, when he also died, leaving the 
Concern in the hands of Mr. Hitt. The General Con- 
ference of 18 1 2 appointed him principal, and Thomas 
Ware assistant; but the business failed to succeed as 
it had previously done. In 18 16 both were left out, 
and Joshua Soule and Thomas Mason succeeded 
them, and by wise management saved the Concern 
from sinking under its embarrassments. 

CHANGE OF POLICY ADOPTED. 

Four years after, Mr. Soule was elected bishop, 
and Rev. Nathan Bangs was appointed to succeed 



556 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



him, with Rev. Thomas Mason as assistant. The 
Concern was still heavily in debt. Its books were 
scattered through the country, in the hands of pre- 
siding elders and preachers, under a coniviission'' 
arrangement adopted by the General Conference some 
years before, and the returns were slow and uncer- 
tain. The agents saw that something must be done 
to vitalize the whole system, and immediately brought 
out several works for which there was a loud call, 
embracing Benson's Commentary," and a new re- 
vision of the hymn-book. Both being re-elected in 
1820, they, two years after, rented the basement of 
the Wesleyan Seminary, in Crosby Street, and com- 
menced doing their own binding. This proved so 
great a convenience, that Mr. Bangs and his assistant, 
Rev. John Emory, who succeeded Mr. Mason in 
1824, purchased the seminary building, and com- 
menced doing their own printing in September of that 
year. It was during this administration that Dr. 
Clarke's "Commentary" was issued, and the unfor- 
tunate system of sending out books on commission 
was abolished. This was a great relief to the Con- 
cern, and gave new life to the business. On the 9th 
of September, 1826, the first number of the CJiristiaii 
Advocate made its appearance, and at once became a 
power for good. The General Conference of 1828 
appointed Mr. Bangs its editor, and editor of Sun- 
day-school books, which had then become a neces- 
sity ; Rev, John Emory, principal editor and book 
agent, with Rev. Beverly Waugh, his assistant. It 
was during this term that Wesley's and Fletcher's 
Avorks were published, and the magazine installed as 
the Methodist Magazine a? id Quarteiiy Revieiv. 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN, 



557 



REMOVAL TO 200 MULBERRY STREET. 

The business so increased that more room was 
needed, and five lots were purchased on Mulberry 
Street, and buildings commenced, where the print- 
ing-office is now located. Mr. Emory having been 
elected bishop in 1832, Mr. Waugh was appointed 
principal agent ; Rev. T. Mason, assistant ; Mr. Bangs, 
editor of the Magazine a7id Qitarteidy Review, and of 
general books; Rev. John P. Durbin, editor of the 
CJiristiaii Advocate, and Sunday school books and 
tracts, and Rev. Timothy Merritt, his assistant. In 
September, 1833, the front building, on Mulberry 
Street, was completed, and the whole business re- 
moved to its new quarters. Every thing went on 
prosperously until February 18, 1836, when the build- 
ings and stock were consumed by fire, involving a 
loss of tivo hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 

This was a heavy blow, little part of the insurance 
being collectible on account of the bankruptcy of 
most of the companies occasioned by a recent heavy 
fire in the lower part of the city. But it excited 
sympathy. Meetings were held on this account in 
various places, and contributions were made to the 
amount of ^89,994.98. This sum, with what was 
due the Concern, and the amount received from the 
insurance companies, enabled the agents to commence 
anew, Avith a capital, all told, of ^281,650.74. Mr. 
Waugh being elected bishop in 1836, Mr. Mason 
was elected agent; Rev. George Lane, assistant; Rev. 
Samuel Luckcy, general editor ; and Rev. John A. 
Collins, his assistant. The same agents were re- 
elected in 1840, with Rev. George Peck, editor of the 



5^ 8 HIST OR Y OF ME T HOD ISM. 

Quarterly Reviezv and general books and tracts ; Dr. 
Thomas E. Bond, editor of the CJiristiaii Advocate 
and Sunday-school books, with Rev. George Coles 
for his assistant. 

Since then the Concern has been managed by the 
following agents : 

G. Lane and C. B. Tippett, . . . Elected in 1844 

G. Lane and L. Scott, . . . . " 1848 

T. Carlton and Z. Phillips, ... " 1852 

T. Carlton and J. Porter, . . . . " 1856 

T. Carlton and J. Porter, , . " i860 

T. Carlton and J. Porter, . . . . " 1864 

T. Carlton and J. Lanahan, ... " 1868 

R. Nelson and J. M. Phillips, ..." 1872 

The Cincinnati branch-house was established in 
1820, and has been managed by the following agents: 



Martin Ruter, 

Martin Ruter, .... 

Charles Holliday, . 

C. Holliday and J. F. Wright, . 

J. F. Wright and L. Swormstedt, 

J. F. Wright and L. Swormstedt, 

L. Swormstedt and J. T. INIitchell, 

L. Swormstedt and J. H. Power, 

L. Swormstedt and A. Poe, 

L. Swormstedt and A. Poe, 

A. Poe and L. Hitchcock, 

A. Poe and L. Hitchcock, 

L. Hitchcock and J. M. Walden, 

L. Hitchcock and J. M. Walden, 



Elected in 1820 
1824 
1828 
1832 
1836 
1840 
1844 
1848 
1852 
1856 
i860 
1864 
1868 
1872 



THE SUCCESS OF THE BUSINESS. 

The business has prospered more or less under 
all these administrations. Mistakes have, no doubt, 
been made; but it should be recorded to the honor 
of all concerned, that not a dollar has been lost by 
the defalcation of its managers from the commence- 
ment of the business. The separation of the South, 
in 1845, ^^'^s soon followed by lawsuits against the 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



559 



agents at New York and Cincinnati, and resulted in the 
division of the property under an order of the court, 
taking away more than one full third of it, East and 
West. Ministers have always controlled the business 
until T872, when laymen became partners in manage- 
ment, and John M. Phillips, Esq., was appointed one 
of the agents at New York. 

In the quadrennial Exhibit presented to the Gen- 
eral Conference of 1852, the agents congratulated 
themselves and the conference on the great advance- 
ment in their sales over those of the previous four 
years, amounting to a fraction more than tJm'ty-fottr 
per cent. Still, they say, * ' the highest point ever 
yet attained (which was in 1850) is ^202,358.27; 
while they ought to reach annually at least ;^25o,ooo, 
or ^1,000,000 every four years." Beginning at that 
point, we find the sales to have been as follows : 



Date of report. 


Sales in 4 years. 


Increase in 4 years. 


May, 1852, .... 
" 1856, . . . 
" i860, .... 
" 1864, . . . 
1868, .... 
1872, . . . 


$653,190 78 
1,000,734 18 
1,175,867 29 
1,507,873 18 

2,535,199 77 
2,426,840 42 


$165,968 74 

347,543 40 
i75>i33 II 
322,005 89 
1,027,326 59 
dec. 109,359 35 



The profits of the Concern tally well with its 
sales, though making money was not one of the 
chief objects of its establishment. From the report 
of the agents made to the General Conference in 
1836, we learn that the total assets of the Concern 
amounted to ^191,655.76. To this, sympathizing 
friends added by donations ;^89,994.98, making a 
grand total of capital for rebuilding and carrying on 
the business of ^281,650.74. And this was largely 



S6o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



in doubtful accounts, which were estimated above 
their real value. 

The net capital of the Concern November I, 1871, as 
per report made to the General Conference, May, 
1872, was $1,055,179 57 

Deduct the capital found as above in 1836, . 281,650 74 

And we have a balance in profits of . . $773,528 83 

Between 1836 and i860 the Concern paid in Divi- 
dends to the Annual Conferences . . 305,457 00 
To the Church South, as per Settlement, . . 231,648 51 
To the Church South, as per Interest on Bond, . 33,214 02 

Cost on Church Suit, 9,559 19 

Amount transferred to the Cincinnati Branch, by 

order of General Conference in 1840, . 105,103,56 
Expenses of Delegates to General Conference, and 

other bills ordered by that body, . . . 20,085 7^ 
Paid in the Purchase and Support of Embarrassed 

Local Papers, so far as ascertained, . . 27,117 31 

Paid Bishops' Salaries and Traveling Expenses, . 180,328 23 

Total of profits in i860, , . . $1,686,042 37 

Paid between i860 and 1864, as follows: 

To the Publishing Committee of the Pacific Christian 

Advocate, ....... $6,000 00 

To the Publishing Committee of the California Chris- 
tian Advocate, ...... 4,000 00 

Paid on Account of Expenses of Delegates to the 

General Conference of i860, .... 2,478 13 

To the Committee on Ritual, and Sundry other Ex- 
penses ordered to be paid by General Conference, i,394 7l 

Paid Dividends to the Conferences, . . . 19,600 09 

Paid on Account of Salaries and Traveling Expenses 

of the Bishops' and to the Widows of Bishops, 46,186 60 

Total, $79,659 53 

Paid out from January i, 1864, to January I, 

1868, as follows: 

Dividends to Conferences, $20,000 00 

On General Conference Expenses, . . . 3, 811 81 

Other Incidental Expenses, ..... 1,346 42 

California Christian Advocate, .... 4,000 00 

Pacific Christian Advocate, ..... 4,000 00 

On Bishops Salaries and Traveling Expenses, . 79,894 50 

Total of profits from 1864 to 1868, . $113,052 73 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



561 



Sum total of profits to 1868, .... $1,878,754 63 
Profits and amounts paid outside of the business re- 
ported in 1872 for the preceding four years, . 105,413 04 

Making a grand total of . . . $1,984,167 67 

of profits by the business in thirty-six years, and 
largely paid out from year to year in support of 
outside interests. 

So much for the Concern at New York. By add- 
ing what has been made by the Western Concern at 
Cincinnati, we may learn what have been the profits 
at both places; but we are not able to give the fig- 
ures with accuracy, and will only say, it started, as 
before stated, with a capital of ^105,103.56, trans- 
ferred from New York. Its net capital in 1872 was 
;$422, 599.68, which is ;^3i7,496. 12 more than its 
original stock, and is, therefore, net profit. It also 
paid the Church South more than ^80,000, and has 
for several years met one-third of the bishops' sal- 
aries, and other expenses levied by the General Con- 
ferences upon the Book Concern. 

These figures indicate something of the magni- 
tude of the business, and of its steady growth from 
its unpromising beginning to the present time. The 
fact that the two Concerns publish nearly tJiree thoit- 
sand bound volumes of various sizes, ranging from a 
hundred dollar quarto to a ten-penny Testament, 
with more than half as many different tracts, each 
embracing from two to sixty-four pages, and hundreds 
of other works, such as maps, cards, leaves, etc., 
meeting nearly every want of our own denomination, 
to say nothing of others, is not only confirmatory of 
this remarkable exhibit, but goes to show that the 
business has been prosecuted in accordance with its 



562 



HISTORY OF METHODISM, 



original purpose ; namely, the intellectual and spirit- 
ual elevation of the people. 

But it has not reached its present status without 
the ordinary vicissitudes and struggles incident to all 
great enterprises. Human imperfection has marked 
its whole history, as it has that of every other un- 
dertaking of even good and well-meaning people. 
Agents and editors have not been equally skillful or 
successful, though they were selected with usual pru- 
dence, and did the best they could under the circum- 
stances. They have all, however, been honest, and 
in this respect stand indorsed by the General Confer- 
ence, which is high compliment for men having 
charge of large funds in these times. None of them 
have succeeded in pleasing all their customers or 
constituents, or entirely escaped criticism. Some 
have thought them too slow, and that they ought 
to publish many things they did not; and others 
feared they were too fast; and perhaps they Avere 
right, at times, in relation to particular cases. None 
of them avoided losses by bad debts, fraud, or 
even theft. Considering the character of society, it 
is impossible to do so large and complicated a busi- 
ness, involving the employment of two or three hun- 
dred hands, and dealing with as many thousands in 
this and in foreign countries, without losses in all 
these ways. The shrewdest private dealers in a 
small way can hardly run a little store, over which 
they personally preside, without suffering more or 
less from these sources. Even managers of small 
moneyed institutions, who ha\'c Httle to do but to 
sit in their offices and watch the daily operations of 
their subordinates, are often victimized b}- them, and 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



suffer by the theft of large amounts. It is folly, 
therefore, to expect that these agents, necessarily ab- 
sent a large part of the time attending the conferences, 
and looking after the other interests of the Church, 
as they have been required to do, being the cus- 
todians and managers of most of its benevolences, — 
it is folly, we say, to expect that they should steer 
clear of all losses. They are obliged to trust not one 
only, but many, as they necessarily carry on several 
branches of business, requiring experience and skill, 
which they do not possess. It was always so, and 
can hardly be otherwise. We say these things from 
twelve years' close personal application to the busi- 
ness, and know whereof we affirm. 

A FURTHER WORD ABOUT PROFITS. 

The amount of profits made is not a safe criterion 
by which to judge of the efficiency of agents. There 
was a time when the Book Concern alone published 
our denominational sentiments. It could then charge 
any price for its issues, and get it. The change of 
theological opinions among other denominations ap- 
peared at once in their books, and furnished a new 
source of supply to Methodists, when it became 
necessary for the Book Concern to reduce its prices. 
The establishment of the American Sunday-school 
Union and the American Tract Societies, to furnish 
unsectarian books, as they assumed, at a little above 
cost, made such reduction imperative. This, of 
course, reduced the profits. Then, again, the cost 
of labor and material is sometimes higher in propor- 
tion to the prices the books will bear. Besides, the 
temper of the Church has varied, calling at one time 



564 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



for cJieap books and a large business, irrespective of 
profits, and, at another, for splendid buildings, etc., 
which require high prices and large profits. 

OF PROPER ESTIMATES. 

It is also necessary, in calculating the profits of 
the business, to look at the estimate put upon the 
property of the Concern. All that one agent in- 
creases the ratio of estimation over that of his pre- 
decessor will appear in his accounts as profits, while 
whatever he reduces it, Avill reduce his show of 
profits. To form a correct judgment of the success 
of the business, all these things, with many others, 
must be taken into the account. 

The writer's theory has always been to keep esti- 
mates clear down to casJi value, not in this business 
only, but in every business. This was not done in 
the Book Concern for many years ; but it worked no 
serious damage until the agents were required to 
divide with the Church South, and pay them their 
part in cash. Then they saw where they were, and 
testified that their property was not worth so much • 
as their own inventory represented it. But the judge 
would not go back on their books. And, had it not 
been for a negotiation, in which the Church South 
acted leniently, it would have proved very disastrous. 
The agents, therefore, Messrs. Carlton and Phillips, 
very justly proposed to the General Conference of 
1856 to reduce the estimate ^114,045.56, which was 
done, and a great deal more of the same sort after- 
ward, absorbing a large part of the profits during the 
next twelve years, instead of showing them, to the 
honor of the agents. They really made, according 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



to the new inventory in 1869, ^789,043.35, or $6^,- 
753.61 per annum, notwithstanding the several finan- 
cial crises which occurred during the time, and 
swept down many publishing establishments, and sus- 
pended others of the highest rank. And yet, until 
the necessary inflation of prices by reason of the 
rebellion, the agents sold books lower than ever be- 
fore, and challenged a comparison of prices with their 
sharpest competitors.* 

THE UTILITY OF THE CONCERN. 

Financially, it has paid nearly all the general 
expenses of the Church. It has also furnished many 
conveniences in the way of General Conference jour- 
nals, annual minutes, etc., which have never sold 
enough to pay one-half of the cost of their publica- 
tion. By its books and papers, it has defended _ the 
Church against every assault. There is hardly a 
Church in the land in which witnesses to its moral 
and spiritual power can not be found. Fletcher's 
''Checks," Watson's Theology, Clarke's Commen- 
tary, and many others brought out by the Book- 
room, have delivered thousands of men from the 
entanglements of heresy. The writer will never 
cease to thank God for their happy influence on his 
own mind in settling doctrinal difficulties. His pas- 
tor had kindly tried to deliver him from the errors 
of his education, and, to make a sure thing of it, 
proposed to lend him four large volumes (one at 
a time) which he had on sale, called Fletcher's 
''Checks." They were accepted and read with pro- 

* This declaration is substantiated in another work, whicli uill 
be issued in due time. 



566 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



found delight — yea, with joy unspeakable and full of 
glory. Watson's Theology came to his rescue after- 
ward in a contest with Unitarianism, nicely drawn 
and sugared to captivate the young. O, how the 
darkness vanished before that mighty reasoner! If 
all who have been brought to God or sensibly bene- 
fited by our publications were to stand up together, 
they would make an exceeding great army. Yet 
more have been unconsciously benefited by them, 
and hardly know how. Their sentiments have been 
molding them into maturity of grace and thought, 
and have saved theg^i from many a slip. 

Should the Book-room be blotted out, it would 
put Methodism back fifty years. The Church would 
be at a loss to know what to do without it. It 
is an element of power which few appreciate, and 
should be nursed and cultivated. If it has some- 
times missed the point, it has generally hit it. Let 
us rally around it, patronize, and prune it, if neces- 
sary; but keep it to its great work. 

OF THE LATE DIFFICULTY. 

We can hardly close this chapter without refer- 
ring to the late difficulty in and about the Concern. 
It appeared from two Methodist papers, and others 
to which certain Methodists had pretty free access, 
that it had been suspected and whispered about for 
some years that every thing Avas not right at the 
Book-room. On the 2ist day of September, 1869, 
these suspicions developed in staring capitals in the 
New York Times, having ripened into charges of fla- 
grant fraud and corruption. This, of course, took 
the public by surprise, and no one more than the 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 567 



writer, who, though he had been assistant agent for 
the tweh^e years preceding May, 1868, had never 
heard a whisper of suspicion from any source. What 
it meant or who was involved, no one could tell; 
but it created a terrible excitement, and rendered an 
immediate investigation by the proper authorities 
indispensable. Accordingly, the Book Committee, 
composed of fifteen distinguished clergymen of age 
and experience, convened November 4, 1869, and 
addressed themselves to the work, and continued in 
session some fourteen days, consulting all sources of 
information within their reach, but without finding a 
defaulter or any loss. (Journal of General Confer- 
ence of 1872, p. 564.) 

Further investigation being loudly called for, 
especially by certain outside parties, and the Book 
Committee desiring to extend their inquiries to 
cover new charges, etc., they met again January 
27, 1870, and adjourned on fhe tenth of the fol- 
lowing month, ''making in all," they say, "a full 
month of most diligent and painstaking research," 
during which they examined over fifty witnesses, and 
carefully considered every aspect of the case. The 
result is given in the following statement, namely: 

"After a sufficient mass of facts had been accumulated to 
allow of their classification, three questions were proposed 
ai'ound which those facts mi^^ht be grouped, and which might 
give system to fuither investigations. These questions were 
supposed to cover the whole ground, so far as corruption, 
frauds, and losses were concerned. They are as follows: 

"I. In respect of the management or the conduct of the 
agents or either of them, has there been any fraud or corrup- 
tion in the Book Conc(M-n ? 

"2. Has there been any thing corrupt or fraudulent in the 



568 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



practice or conduct of any einploye of the Book Concern, so 
far as the printing department is concerned? 

"3. Has there been any thing fraudulent or corrupt in the 
practice or conduct of any employe in the Book Concern, so 
far as the bindery is concerned? 

"These questions, at the conclusion of the investigation, 
were all answered in the negative — the first, by a unanimous 
vote; the second, by a vote of eleven out of thirteen, two de- 
clining to vote either way; and the third, by a vote of nine to 
four. H. Bannister was in Europe, and G. W. Maltby had 
been excused and had gone home on account of sickness." 
(Journal of General Conference for 1872, pp. 566, 567.) 

This decision, in the ordinary course of events, 
would have ended the matter, the discipHnary pro- 
visions for detecting wrongs in the administration of 
the agents being exhausted until the meeting of the 
next General Conference; but certain parties, who 
evidently knew a great deal about the "suspicions" 
and ''whisperings" before-mentioned, were not satis- 
fied. They insisted on further proceedings, and even 
suggested the organization of a new court, embracing 
gentlemen of other denominations, contrary to all 
practice in Methodist jurisprudence; and they suc- 
ceeded, not exactly in form, but in effect; for such 
was the clamor that, even after this verdict of com- 
plete acquittal of the parties involved was adopted 
and published, the committee, in their long-suffering, 
yielded so far as to put a new man (James P. Kil- 
breth, Esq.) to work, with plenary powers to subject 
all parties concerned to another searching inquisition, 
in person and by assistants, and referred to him *'all 
the various allegations and charges of fraud and mis- 
management made from time to time by the assist- 
ant agent against the Book Concern, and especially 
'such books and accounts and business, of whatever 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN, 



569 



date or of whatever department of the Concern, as 
by such allegations are said to involve frauds, losses, 
or mismanagement.' " (Journal for 1872, p. 589.) 

We mention this, not to blame the committee — 
they did their work well, considering their surround- 
ings — but to show to what extremes the investigation 
Avas pushed. The whole ground had been gone over 
again and again by ex parte and mutual experts, 
without finding the long-sought object. 

Still, the committee did not swerve from their 
verdict, and claimed to the last, i. That no serious 
frauds or losses had been proved; 2. That it was 
impossible that the business should have prospered 
as it had done, if weakened by the constant drain 
upon its resources involved in the frauds alleged; 
3. That the Book Committees, during the time in- 
volved, had "fully and upon personal inspection 
indorsed the business methods and management of 
the Concern, and had reported in the most approving 
terms of the ability, fidelity, and success with which 
every department was administered;" 4. **That dur- 
ing the year 1862, in pursuance of an order from the 
preceding General Conference [suggested by one of 
the agents], the books and business methods of the 
Concern were subjected to an unusually scrutinizing 
examination by a competent accountant, under the 
direction of the Book Committee," consisting of Dr. 
George Peck, C. B. Tippett (an old book agent), 
Gardner Baker, W. H. Pillsbury, John Coil, M. 
D'C. Crawford, and S. Y. Monroe, which commit- 
tee reported to the General Conference in 1864, after 
referring to that examination: "Careful investigation 
has satisfied us that the agents in charge of the 

48 



570 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Concern are interested, capable, and faithful men. 
Each successive year the conviction has strength- 
ened that they are the right men in the right 
place." (Journal of General Conference for 1872, 
pp. 590, 591.) 

They go further even, and declare "that the 
result of these investigations has been a growing 
conviction that (instead of the 'chaos' which was 
charged) the business management is orderly and 
systematic; that theory and practice are as nearly 
perfect as could well be expected in a business so 
peculiar as is that of the Methodist Book Concern." 
(p. 592.) 

MR. KILBRETH's report, 

Mr. Kilbreth seems to have addressed himself 
earnestly to the work assigned him, taking a wider 
range than did the Book Committee, and ample time 
to traverse each point. His report contains many 
wise criticisms and conclusions. It is not, however, 
without mistakes. Had he consulted one man, who 
ought to know something of all the matters in ques- 
tion, he would have modified some of his statements, 
if not one or more of his conclusions; but, taken as 
a whole, it indicates marked ability, and adds great 
weight to the report of the Book Committee, espe- 
cially with regard to the integrity of the agents, of 
the often-accused foreman of the printing-office, and 
of the untruth of the assumed losses. He says: 

"I do not find any evidence Avhatever of fraud against 
Mr. Goodenough, formerly superintendent of the printing 
department. The printing-office, in its internal government, 
was, I think, never better managed than under his superin- 
tendency." (Journal, p. 615.) 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



The only complaint against him was that he 
bought paper of one particular man, a regular paper 
dealer. And the wrong of this consisted not in his 
paying more than a fair market price; for he denies 
this, and proves, by Mr. Warren, one of the two chief 
manufacturers who furnished the paper, that he paid 
less, and would have proved it by the other, if he 
had not refused to answer his questions. He says: 

" I have not been able to discover the slightest evidence 
of any corrupt collusion between Mr. Goodenough and Mr. 
in the business transactions with which they were con- 
nected. As to Mr. Goodenough' s honesty as Superintendent 
of the Printing Department, after a thorough examination, I 
have not a suspicion or a doubt. That he discharged his duties 
faithfully is undeniable. Nor have I seen any evidence to con- 
vince me that the commissions of , large as some of them 

were, came out of the Book Concern." (Journal, pp. 604, 605.) 

We confess to particular pleasure in this estimate 
of Mr. Goodenough, because it perfectly accords with 
that of the agents for twelve years of intimate connec- 
tion with him. If he erred in the matter complained 
of, he did so by following distinguished precedents in 
all departments of business, and gave another evi- 
dence of his fidelity by carrying out the standing 
instructions of his employers; namely, to purchase 
paper when and of whom he could get it at the 
lowest rate for cash. 

Mr. Hoffman, Superintendent of the bindery, be- 
ing called away to Chicago on business engagements, 
and having little opportunity to speak for himself, 
after a few of the early meetings of the Book Com- 
mittee, seems to have fallen under suspicion. Mr. 
Kilbreth believed him to have been dishonest, thou^fh 
he concedes it would be difficult to prove it. His 



572 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



criticisms of some of the witnesses against him are 
most pertinent and just. Had Mr. Hoffman been 
present to explain certain matters, best known by 
himself, the report would probably have been differ- 
ent. Messrs. Carlton & Porter employed him for 
twelve years, and Carlton & Phillips several years 
before and watched him, as they did others, more 
carefully than appears by the books; but failed to 
detect him in the slighest dishonesty. If they were 
at fault, it was in not paying him more for his serv- 
ices, for he received less than he was worth. But 
he is gone from a new and prosperous business to 
eternity, where, it is to be hoped, all wrongs will be 
righted. 

How much loss the Concern sustained by him, 
if any, Mr. Kilbreth can not tell. "Not formidable 
enough," he says, "to create any great sensation;" 
* ' falls very far short of what has been so frequently 
reported;" does not "much exceed the expenses 
already incurred in investigating them;" and is not 
sufficient to embarrass the business. 

We think this getting through pretty well, every 
thing considered, and so did the referee himself, for 
he says, after dragging through the labyrinth of doc- 
uments, enough to make a printed book as large as 
the Bible: 

" It is to me a matter of wonder that, in so large a business 
as the Book Concern has been doing for so many years, the 
frauds and irregularities discovered, after searching examina- 
tions, are so small — smaller, I doubt not, than would be found 
in the average in houses of equal business, and employing as 
many persons." (Journal, p. 6i6.) 

Had the two deceased book-keepers, Mr. Edwards 

and Mr. Simpson, been alive and present to explain 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 



573 



their work; and had the former Assistant Book 
Agent been invited to tell what he knew of the 
matter, it is not unlikely that the findings would have 
been still more gratifying. 

ONE MORE ORDEAL TO PASS. 

But the investigation was not entirely ended. 
The Concern had one more ordeal to pass ; namely, 
the General Conference. This body assembled May 
I, 1872, and submitted the whole subject to a special 
committee of seventy-two able ministers and laymen 
from all parts of the country, one from each annual 
conference. This committee went through the case 
in a business-like manner, we judge from their re- 
port, calling for persons and papers at discretion, and 
coming generally to Mr. Kilbreth's conclusions, that 
the agents and Mr. Goodenough were honest, and no 
losses had been sustained in any part of the house 
except in the bindery, through Mr. Hoffman, but that 
there had been some irregularities in the book-keep- 
ing, etc., etc. These conclusions were accepted by 
the General Conference, and the long-continued strug- 
gle was ended. (Journal, pp. 364-368.) 

Thus it appears that all these investigations came 
to about the same result. How much importance 
should be attached to the opinions rendered in regard 
to methods of book-keeping, business, etc. , is a ques- 
tion worthy of consideration. Most men will be 
likely to take sides with honest and competent 
agents, book-keepers, clerks, and foremen who were 
in the Concern at the time of the transactions, and 
having to do with them from day to day, rather than 
with wiser men, coming in and investigating them 



574 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



ten or fifteen years after, in the absence of important 
parties involved; and especially if the business was 
done successfully, and Avas indorsed, and even compli- 
mented, by its official supervisors and guardians at 
the time, as was emphatically true in this case. 

We have presented this outline of the late diffi- 
culty and its results, without entering into the dis- 
cussion of the merits of the case, believing that it 
would be useful to many who have not access to the 
proper sources of information. Personally, we had 
very little to do with the investigation, though always 
ready to respond when approached by the proper 
authorities. At the call of the Book Committee, we 
went before them, and testified on a few specified 
points. Beyond this, we were never invited by com- 
mittees, experts, referees, courts, or conference, to 
give the slightest information on the subject. Why 
we should have been overlooked, if information was 
really the object sought, has seemed a little singular; 
for it was erroneously assumed that we had special 
jurisdiction of certain heads of departments, and in 
any case we would be as likeh^ to know the facts by 
reason of our connection with the business as any 
other available person. 

Here we lea\'e the matter, trusting that e\'ery 
man, legitimately and openly concerned in the affair, 
followed his honest convictions, and did what he 
judged to be right. All may have erred. Some 
have been grievously wronged ; but it is too late to 
repair the damage. The strife did not originate in 
the Book Concern, nor Avas that the center of its 
power. But, let us comfort ourselves with the fact 
that this was the first trial of the kind the Concern 



METHODIST BOOK CONCERN. 575 

had experienced since its commencement, in 1789, 
more than eighty years before, during which time it 
grew to be the largest rehgious pubhshing house in 
the world. This is an honorable record, considering 
how many financial institutions, even of a benevolent 
character, had then, and have since, been ruined by 
defalcations and bad management. 



576 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



CHAPTER XVIL 



RELATIVE PROGRESS OF METHODISM — SECRETS OF ITS SUC- 
CESS SUSTAINED BY DISTINGUISHED LAYMEN PECUL- 
IAR MINISTERS CALLED ITS FUTURE SUGGESTED. 



ROM this hasty sketch it must appear to every 



reader, who is not bUnded by prejudice, that 
Methodism has been pecuharly successful. A Httle 
more than one hundred years ago it had no organized 
existence upon the face of the earth. Some eight or 
ten persons then came to Mr. Wesley, who appeared 
to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning 
for redemption. Here was the nucleus around which 
we now behold this mighty array. Has not the 
''little one," indeed, "become a thousand?" This 
movement occurred in the city of London, and, for 
aught that was known to the contrary, was to be 
limited to that great metropolis. No mortal could 
then foretell that it would be re-enacted in any other 
place. It was a mere trifle — a circumstance that 
might have occurred a hundred times without public 
notice, and indicated nothing remarkable. But, like 
the ''grain of mustard-seed which is the least of all 
seeds" that became the "greatest among herbs," this 
germ has shot forth its branches over the four quarters 
of the globe, and innumerable birds lodge therein. 

It is certain that such a work has never been 
accomplished in so short a time since the world 




RELATIVE PROGRESS OE METHODISM. ^J'^ 



began. And it is not less certain that no system of 
religious propagandism has ever had so much oppo- 
sition to overcome. Yet it has gone steadily on in 
weal and woe, converting its worst enemies, and suc- 
ceeding often in its greatest defeats. Its prosperity 
has been universal and almost unceasing ; its adversity, 
only local and temporary. And its progress was 
never greater, or its prospects brighter, than at 
present. 

With the Church of England, and other national 
establishments, we, of course, can institute no com- 
parisons, because they swallow up all sects and par- 
ties that come within their geographical bounds, 
whether good, bad, or indifferent. Nor is it fair to 
compare Methodists, and other evangelical Churches, 
with those sects which pander to popular corruptions, 
and receive persons of all descriptions to their fellow- 
ship, without regard to their religious character. 
Rich and fashionable societies, which say little of our 
obligations beyond the observance of mere Church 
rites, may draw around them an accumulation of 
chaff, in which there will be little wheat. The com- 
parison, to be just and fair, should relate only to 
those whose circumstances are equal in other respects, 
and who require the same change of heart and life 
as the condition of their fellowship. But we will not 
be particular. A few facts will be sufficient for our 
purpose. 

The Independents y of England, arose about the 
year 1600. They dissented from the establishment 
under the leadership of Rev. John Robinson, adopted 
Calvinistic views and Congregational government. 
The Baptists appeared soon after, adopting similar 

49 



578 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



sentiments and modes of operation, but differing 
from the Independents in relation to the subjects of 
baptism, and the manner in which it should be ad- 
ministered. They were afterward divided, a part 
becoming Arminians. The Presbyterians had com- 
menced their career half a century before. But with 
this advantage as to time, and with others which we 
need not enumerate, the aggregate numbers and 
influence of all these denominations in England is 
not equal to that of the Methodists. 

Methodism has not been less successful in Amer- 
ica. The Congregationalists have occupied this field 
ever since the landing of the Mayflowei'- in 1620^ 
They first settled the country, particularly New Eng- 
land, and for many years managed matters, both 
civil and religious, much in their own way, and ex- 
cluded all dissenters from their territory. They now 
number 3,233 ministers, and 323,679 Church mem- 
bers. The Baptists have had nearly the same time 
to multiply, their first Church having been formed 
by Roger Williams in 1638. The regular Calvinistic 
Baptists now number 12,598 ministers, and 1,633,939 
members. The first presbytery in the country was 
organized in 1705, about eighty years before the or- 
ganization of our Church ; and, in common with the 
other leading denominations, the Presbyterians have 
done a great and good work. The Old and New 
Schools together embrace 6,241 ministers, and 675,- 
042 members. The Protestant Episcopal Church has 
been less successful, though it commenced its opera- 
tions in the very infancy of the colonies, and had 
much to favor it till after the Revolution. It at pres- 
ent numbers 3,095 ministers, and 254,857 members. 



RELA TIVE PROGRESS OF METHODISM. 5 79 



Other denominations have done well, and have con- 
tributed greatly to the religious influence of the 
country, but are less numerous. 

Now, when it is considered that the first Meth- 
odist missionary to this country arrived in 1769, and 
that the Church was not organized until 1784, and 
has since had to contend with poverty and prejudices 
incident to no other Christian body that has attained 
to any considerable importance in the community, 
and that, nevertheless, it now numbers in all its 
branches 19,156 ministers, and 3,031,988 members, 
it must be conceded that it has been wonderfully 
favored. 

Another view of the subject will indicate this 
truth with equal distinctness. In 1795 the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church numbered 60,291 members, 
which was about one to every sixty of the whole 
population of the country. It now embraces about 
one in every thirteen and a half of the present popula- 
tion — showing a proportionate increase, exceeding 
that of the rapid increase of the population of the 
country, as nearly five to one. Now, with all re- 
spect to sister denominations, and we certainly enter- 
tain a high regard for them, we affirm that the like 
advancement is not to be seen in the progress of any 
one above mentioned. Indeed, several of them have 
lost nearly in the proportion that we have gained, 
and no one of them has increased in the same ratio 
by a very large per centum, notwithstanding tens of 
thousands who have been converted among us have 
united with them. 

What has given us this peculiar distinction is a 
question that wise men have solved differently. 



58o 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



Some say one thing, and some another ; but all, 
who trace it to any single circumstance abstract from 
others, evidently err, not fully comprehending the 
system in all its parts. 

It can not be attributed to our doctrines merely, 
for others have preached the same. Nor to our lit- 
erary attainments, for in this respect we are frank to 
acknowledge ourselves behind some other denomi- 
nations. Though many of our preachers are literary 
men, and have astonished the world by their produc- 
tions, the masses lay no claim to this character. 
They have, however, been grossly misrepresented 
by certain clerical pretenders, who have not dis- 
tinguished themselves for modesty and good breed- 
ing, however profound their learning. But some of 
these have had their reward in the mortification of 
seeing their enlightened hearers forsake them to 
attend upon the more tangible and effective ministra- 
tions of their itinerating neighbors. They may yet 
learn that ministerial education does not consist in 
mere sheep-skin diplomas, and that it is not policy 
to ridicule whom God and his people ' ' delight to 
honor." 

Had Methodists been rich in this world's goods, 
their success might have been attributed to this cause ; 
but, like the Savior and his early disciples, they have 
generally been poor. They could not appeal to the 
pride and vanity of the world, by erecting splendid 
churches, and otherwise making a great display, if 
they had been disposed. They have had to preach in 
private dwellings, school-houses, barns, and in the 
open air, till they could erect churches. And many 
of these, for the want of means, have been small and 



RELA TIVE PR 0 GRESS OF ME T HOD ISM. 5 8 1 

often out of place, and uninviting. And the world 
has looked on and mocked, and professors of religion 
have not unfrequently joined in the sport. This 
same cause has been an occasion of reproach to 
preachers, who have often had to live in a style 
directly calculated to lessen the respect of commu- 
nity for them, and also for their enterprise. 

We can not trace this prosperity to any one in- 
strumental cause, and say, tJiat is it; for it is evidently 
attributable to many causes. Our doctrines, our 
style of presenting them, our itinerancy, and other 
prudential regulations, have all had an influence. 
No one item in our economy has been without effect 
in carrying forward this grand consummation; and, 
we think, some of the least prominent of our meas- 
ures have been most effective. God has seemed to 
approve the whole movement, and crown every hon- 
est and faithful endeavor with his blessing. To him 
we ascribe all the glory. He has gone before his 
people, and led them as a shepherd his flock, into 
green pastures and beside the still waters. He has 
attended them in dangers, and made a way for their 
escape. In difficulties he has been their helper, sug- 
gesting measures, suppressing prejudices, converting 
foes to friends, and begetting interest and liberality 
where there was enmity and covetousness. 

Numerous instances have occurred where the in- 
fluential, supported by the rabble, as usual, have 
determined the Methodists should not make a stand 
among them, and united to prevent it; and not un- 
frequently the minister of the place has taken a lead- 
ing part in the conspiracy. But, notwithstanding 
their vigilance and power, Methodism has taken root 



582 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



and become established; and would have been alike 
successful in more places of the kind had its friends 
been true to their principles. 

POINTS OF VITAL INTEREST. 

There are, however, several peculiarities which 
have especially operated to give effect to the move- 
ment that are worthy of particular consideration. 
One is the doctrine of justification by faitJi, and the 
clear witness of the Spirit to its accomplishment, 
producing "righteousness, peace, and joy in the 
Holy Ghost." Methodism found the Christian world 
generally in unbelief as to the possibility of knowing 
ourselves pardoned, or living happy in God, except 
in some rare cases. It taught repentance, obedience, 
and hope, but not assurance. The religion inculcated 
was, therefore, a sad affair— accepted, not for its 
own excellence, but to protect against future punish- 
ment, and borne as a burden. Of course, it brought 
no power, and made little difference in one's life, ex- 
cept in ceremonial observances. Few cared for it, 
therefore, till brought into the presence of death. 

Methodism presented religion as a thing of power, 
embracing pardon to the guilty and regeneration to 
the profligate, strength to the weak, eyes to the 
blind, and a complete supply of every necessity to 
enable one to walk with God, and be good and happy. 
It offered something to be obtained immediatel}'- — a 
joy unspeakable and full of glory to the poor and 
miserable. It was accordingly carried at the first to 
the most needy — in poor-houses, jails, and other suf- 
ferers among the lowest and meanest of human be- 
ings, and not preached merely, but exemplified, its 



RELA TI VE PR 0 GRESS OF ME THO DISM. 583 

teachers witnessing to its truth, showing what it did 
for them. A teacher, to be effective, must ''know 
of the doctrine" that it is of God — must feel the sal- 
vation he urges upon others as the greatest and grand- 
est thing in the universe — must be thrilled with his 
theme. 

Another potent fact is, that Methodists have 
aimed directly, and always (professionally, at least) 
at the conversion and sanctification of sinners. If 
they have preached the Gospel it has been for a pur- 
pose — to win men to Christ. And this being their 
object, they have generally followed up the preach- 
ing with prayer and private advices. Men who are 
really converted, and are earnestly seeking to con- 
vert sinners, will succeed. If Methodists let go of 
these elements of their power, they will be weak like 
other men — their doctrine and economy can not 
save them. 

Underlying these qualities is another which vital- 
izes the whole system, I mean faith in the practi- 
cability of success under just the circumstances sur- 
rounding us. There are many who believe it possible 
to do some good thing "if, and if and if;" but the 
ifs being wanting, their faith is the poorest unbelief 
The early Methodists started out in confidence — that 
''all things are possible to him that believeth, " and 
they struck for the most difficult cases first — for thieves 
and robbers and other public sinners. Many said there 
is no use in visiting convicts, or the miners, or the 
Catholics, or the slaves, or the heathen — they are be- 
yond hope. Yet Methodists visited all those classes 
and found them more convertible than many religion- 
ists who were dead in trespasses and sins, and did not 



584 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



know it. It was their faith that ''subdued kingdoms, 
wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped 
the mouths of hons, quenched the violence of fire, 
escaped the edge of tlie sword ; out of weakness was 
made strong, waxed vahant in fight, turned to flight 
the armies of the aliens." With these qualities they 
were daring and persistent where others were timid, 
vacillating, and powerless. Looking unto Jesus, 
they endured the cross, despised the shame, and laid 
hold on eternal life for themselves and others. 

DISTINGUISHED LAYMEN CALLED. 

But no view of this subject can be complete with- 
out recognizing the providence of God in raising up 
men to meet the ever-recurring emergencies of the 
cause. We glanced at this point in connection with 
the British Conference. It is equally pertinent in 
application to American Methodism. In the days of 
the Revolution, when most of our preachers were 
foreigners, the Church was greatly assisted by influ- 
ential laymen, whose natural connections led them 
to other and more popular associations. Judges 
White and Barrett protected Mr. Asbury, and other 
preachers, when they were hunted by political mobs, 
and afterward procured the erection of churches still 
bearing their names. Richard Bassett — also a distin- 
guished lawyer. Governor of Delaware, a member of 
the convention which framed the American Constitu- 
tion, and afterward a Senator in 'the First Congress, 
and Judge of the United States Court — stood by the 
Church and its heroic pioneers to the last. It is dif- 
ficult to see what they would have done in those 
days of their greatest trials without such influential 



% 



RELA TIVE PR 0 GRESS OF ME T HOD ISM. 585 



friends ; and there has never been a day since, when, 
with all our weakness and unpopularity with political 
and worldly men, that we have not had able and in- 
fluential laymen representing our type of spiritual 
life in the high places of the nation. 

The name of John M'Lean is worthy of honorable 
mention in this connection. While a young lawyer he 
was awakened and converted under the preaching of 
an itinerant, Rev. John Collins, at Lebanon, Ohio, in 
1807, and took high ground for God and the Church 
through all his future life. Dr. Stevens justly says : 

*'The United States never had a more upright or 
a more honorable citizen, nor American Methodism 
a more faithful member than Judge M'Lean. He 
was commanding in person, tall and symmetrical in 
stature, with a Platonic brow, thoughtful, tranquil 
features, and the most modest but cordial manners. 
He was an able statesman — almost infallible in his 
cautious judgment — a thoroughly devoted Christian, 
persevering and punctual in the minutest duties of 
his Church, and catholic in his regard for good men 
of whatever sect. Lawyer, member of Congress, 
Supreme Judge of Ohio, member of the Cabinets of 
Monroe and Adams, and Supreme Justice of the Re- 
public, he passed through a long life unblemished, 
and above all his titles, gloried in that of a Chris- 
tian." (Hist. Vol. IV, pp. 381, 382.) 

His influence for the cause was remarkable. The 
first thing we recollect to have heard of him was, 
that while occupied with high and responsible duties 
at Washington, he would find time to attend his 
class and mingle with his humbler brethren and sis- 
ters in Christian social communion. We might 



586 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



mention multitudes of other noble men, dead and 
living, who have contributed largely to the wonder- 
ful achievements under consideration, but our Hmits 
will not admit of it. But it may be said of most of 
them that they were brought into the Church while 
young, and owed much of their subsequent honor 
and prosperity to the religion of Christ. They 
sought first the kingdom of God, and all these things 
were added. Others, who were converted, might have 
done as well had they not become ambitious, and 
turned, back to the beggarly elements of the world. 

PROVIDENTIAL CALL OF MINISTERS. 

A cause embracing such a variety of character 
and condition to be influenced as that of Method- 
ism, requires a great diversity of taste, talent, and 
adaptation in its agencies. Striking out to save the 
world — broken up into different tribes, languages and 
social habits — no one style of ministers could reach 
the whole. A greater variety than could be pro- 
duced by any human arrangements was necessary, 
and God seems to have met the demand by calling 
men of all nations, and about at the time when they 
seemed to have been needed. 

For many years the Church had no periodical, 
and few writers, and did well without them. Nearly 
the whole strength of the ministry was applied to 
preaching and other revival measures. Every one 
defended himself when assailed as he was able, and 
passed along, trusting in God. But the time arrived 
when Methodism was attacked by Calvinists of dif- 
ferent schools and sects in concert and by wholesale, 
and needed a David or a Paul to defend it; when, 



RELA TIVE PR 0 GRESS OF ME T HOD ISM. 587 



lo ! a young man from Canada appeared on the field 
with just the capacity and "mind for the work." 
He had strayed away from his birthplace, in Con- 
necticut, into that wilderness, to seek his fortune, 
where he encountered a flaming itinerant, Joseph 
Sawyer, and was brought to God. and to the love of 
the people he had only despised. The change was 
thorough, making him a new creature throughout, 
and brought down upon him the wrath of the wicked. 
But such was his nature, this only fired him with 
fresh zeal, and he went forth a flaming minister, and 
the most courageous, timely and valiant defender of 
the faith. This was Nathan Bangs, for many years 
book agent, editor, and chief controversial writer. 
Whatever may he thought of his later course with 
regard to our internal controversies, Methodism is 
indebted to him for its many and able defenses 
against the slander of its enemies. He did a noble 
work in this respect as well as in the expansion of 
our missionary, literary, and educational interests. He 
lived just at the time when his peculiar qualifications 
were needed and could be turned to the best account, 
and was, therefore, a great blessing to the Church. 

Rev. Timothy Merritt and Dr. Fisk, of New Eng- 
land, belonged to this class, and rendered excellent 
service in repelling the darts of our enemies. They 
were both beautiful examples of Christian purity and 
urbanity, and wrote with much care and power. 

But our cause often suffered more from neglect 
than from abuse. This was the case, at first, in New 
York, when the community was startled by the ap- 
pearance of an old warrior in the pulpit, sword in hand. 
This drew the multitudes, when Captain Webb by his 



588 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



prayers and tears won many to God. Other men of 
peculiar style or talent, such as Capers, Bascom, 
Emory, Fisk, and many more, were always about, and 
commanded attention. But in addition to these, the 
Church enjoyed the labors of still more remarkable 
characters, who so excited public curiosity as to se- 
cure Methodism a hearing. 

Among these was John Summerfield, a young 
Irishman, who came to America in 1821, an accred- 
ited Methodist preacher of two years' standing, and 
was stationed in New York. Though in appearance 
but a boy, and but twenty-three years old, his fame 
spread through all the States, and he was called out 
on great public occasions, and astonished every body 
by his marvelous power. No one could tell why, but 
he moved every heart. He was simple and artless 
as a child, but completely consecrated to God, and 
preached in every look, tone, gesture, and motion. 
Though greatly excelled intellectually by Joshua 
Soule, Marvin Richardson, and others of his col- 
leagues, he left them all in the shade in point of pop- 
ularity. No house could hold the people who, in 
spite of prejudice against Methodism, would crowd 
to hear him. And, being true to Jesus and the 
Church of his love, he commanded respect for both 
that they had not enjoyed. His second appearance 
in America Avas on the platform, at the anniversary 
of the American Bible Society. An overwhelm- 
ing address had just been made by a distinguished 
preacher, when his name was announced. "What 
presumption!" said one in a suppressed tone, "a 
boy like that to be set up after a giant." "But," says 
Dr. Bethune, ' ' the stripling came in the name of the 



RELA TIVE PR 0 GRESS OF ME T HOD ISM, 589 

God of Israel, armed with a few smooth stones from 
the brook that flows hard by the oracles of God." 
When he closed, the same critic exclaimed, Wonder- 
ful ! Wonderful! he talks like an angel from heaven." 
Summerfield died at the age of twenty-seven years, 
but his life was a benediction to American Methodism. 

Qeorge Cookman, an Englishman by birth and 
education, belonged to this class of extraordinary 
men. He was a man of marvelous capabilities in 
the pulpit and on the platform. Coming to this 
country, he joined the Philadelphia Conference in 
1826, and gave himself wholly to the work of the 
ministry, chiefly in the Middle States. March 11, 
1 84 1, he went on board the steamer President to 
visit his native land, and was lost at sea, with all on 
board. But his fifteen years of service brought 
many to God and gave a new impulse to every 
Church interest. His charming style attracted the 
attention of the upper classes of society, who gener- 
ally repudiated Methodism. His fame as a platform 
speaker was world-wide. He was every way adapted 
to address large assemblies. The Representatives 
Hall at Washington was never more ably or usefully 
occupied than when he was Chaplain to Congress. 
And what was remarkable in his case, he was always 
true to God and his Church, he never lowered the 
standard of doctrine or practice to accommodate the 
opinions and tastes of his hearers, however high or 
honorable. He seemed to keep the fire of holiness 
burning in his own heart on all occasions, and that 
in a manner to attract rather than to repel. And 
not he alone, but Methodism generally, reaped the 
benefit of his hallowing influence. A Methodist 



590 



HISTORY OF METHODISM. 



chaplain to Congress, and the grandest preacher on 
the continent ! How strange that report sounded in 
the ears of our enemies! And it had its effect. 

John N. Maffit, another Irishman, belonged to 
this circle of remarkable preachers, though he differed 
from all the other. As an elocutionist he was nearly 
perfect. His voice was as charming as a viol, and as 
various in its tones. But he was often extravagant 
in his opinions and expressions, and sometimes care- 
less in his conduct, which exposed him to criticism 
and censure, even from his best friends. His gener- 
osity was boundless. He was open, frank, and con- 
fiding, forgave every body and expected every body 
to forgive him. We knew him personally, and while 
we could not wonder that he did not please some 
people, we saw much in him to admire. But good, 
bad, or indifferent, the multitudes would follow and 
hear his last word, if they did not submit to his inim- 
itable pleadings with them to accept of offered mercy. 
He was a man of wonderful power and popularity, 
and probably brought thousands to the Church, dur- 
ing his thirty years' ministry, who would have lived 
in sin but for his peculiarities. He was preaching for 
us a few days in Boston, Avhen he was elected chap- 
lain to Congress. Of his last days we know little. 
Dr. Stevens says, "A cloud came over his eccentric 
career at last. Checked in the Northern Church, 
he found refuge in the Southern, and died in Mobile, 
mourned by many, impeached by not a few, but the 
wonder, if not the admiration, of all." 

Another name belonging to this class is that of 
Edward T. Taylor. He was a child of poverty, born 
in Virginia, in 1793, and thrown upon the sea, a 



RELA TIVE PR 0 GRESS OF ME T HOD ISM. 5 9 1 



daring, brave boy, but with a noble heart, strayed 
into a Methodist meeting in Boston, and after many 
strange hinderances was happily converted, and with 
three months' schooling, joined the New England Con- 
ference in 1 8 19. Ten years after he became chap- 
lain to the mariners of Boston, where a church was 
erected for him, which he occupied and graced until 
old age and infirmities commanded him to retire. 
While seamen of all nations delighted to sit at his feet 
and call him father, the elite of that city were hardly 
less idolatrous, Emerson, who is no worshiper of 
ministers, said of him, "No name in this city's cler- 
ical annals, not that of Cotton Mather, Mathew 
Byles, Peter Thatcher, or Lyman Beecher, will be 
more historic, or more justly so, for wit, imagination, 
and oratory, the highest gifts of intellect, no less than 
of the heart, than the name of Edward Taylor." 

But while preachers of this peculiar style were 
introducing Methodism to the higher classes, there 
was another style, not less marked, forcing it upon 
the attention of the lower classes in the sparcely set- 
tled parts of the country, especially on our Western 
frontiers. Among these the name of Peter Cart- 
wright occupies a prominent place. He was born in 
Virginia in 1785, raised and converted in the woods of 
Kentucky, and devoted sixty-five years to the itiner- 
ancy. He was a powerful man, hard as a rock, and 
entirely familiar with Western backwoods life, afraid 
of nobody, and full of zeal for God and Methodism. 
He was in the saddle nearly all the time, and in the 
woods three or four months in the year at camp- 
meetings, preaching sometimes twice or three times 
a day, and frequently whipping the mob and driving 



592 



HIST OR Y OF METHODISM. 



them from the ground. He was presiding elder 
about fifty years, and a member of twelve General 
Conferences. 

We might also mention James Axley, David 
Young, J. B. Finley, and hosts of others, who de- 
lighted in backwoods life, who went every-where 
preaching, living on wild game, or otherwise, as they 
could. They were just the men for the work. Pol- 
ished preachers would not have undertaken it, and 
would not have succeeded had they done so. 

The hand of God is also manifest in callinp- Ger- 
man preachers of just the style to take; in enhsting 
Indians, too, and negroes, of commanding influence, 
to lead their respective classes to the cross; and 
this is his established order — the same that he main- 
tained in the days of the prophets and apostles ; and 
so long as Methodists seek to do his will, his all- 
wise providence will guide them. 

What is to be the future of Methodism we are 
unable to foretell. But if, with such means, against 
such fearful odds, and under so many discouraging 
circumstances, it has achieved such results, what may 
we not anticipate if we walk by the same rules and 
mind the same things ? The Gospel is no less effica- 
cious now than formerly, and people are, probably, 
about as susceptible of being effected by it. Only 
let the Church maintain the simplicity and faith of 
the fathers and employ her improving facilities for 
doing good as she ought, and what has been, will be 
only as the first fruits of a mighty harvest. But if 
she shall prove recreant to her high trusts, her sun 
will go down in shame and everlasting contempt. 

But we must close. Enough has been said, we 



RELATIVE PROGRESS OF METHODISM. 593 

hope, to convince the most prejudiced that a great 
work has been accompHshed, and beget an interest 
in contemplating the system of agencies God has been 
pleased to acknowledge therein. Methodism is not 
fully understood. Her friends are too well satisfied 
with her success to be very particular about the 
minuticE of her regimen; and her enemies find it 
more agreeable to their taste to denounce her, and 
sneer at isolated parts of her system, than to consider 
their relation to other parts, and the truth and deep 
philosophy of the whole. We are desirous of help- 
ing both, and, therefore, commend this volume to 
their careful consideration. 

50 



TOPICAL INDEX. 



A. 

Abbott, Benjamin, his conversion and 
work, 267, 268. 

Abolition, 396, 397; made prominent, 
402, 404, 405, 413, 414; how encour- 
aged, 428; Methodist, 432; opposed, 
433, 439; alarmed the bishops, 436; 
a religious sentiment, 437; con- 
demned, 440, 441; not pacified, 447; 
vindicated, 448; pronounced dead, 
453> 459 > hated, 480; triumphant, 
498, 510. 

Abolitionists, unjustly treated, 435, 437, 

439-441; divided, 443. 
Andrews, Edward G., elected bishop, 

539. 540. 
Alabama, opened, 360. 
America, discovered, 241. 
American Colonization Society, 314, 

429; aided by sermons, 430; their 

effect, 431; indorsed, 438. 
American Wesleyan Observer, started, 

450. 

Ames, Edward R., missionary secre- 
tary, 407; elected bishop, 485, 540. 

Antinomians, 124, 125; defended by 
Walter Shirley, 125, 126. 

Andrew, James O., elected bishop, 
386; married slavery, 456; separated 
with the South, 476. 

Antislavery societies, origin of, 431, 
432, 449; measures of, 432, 433; the 
first in the New England Confer- 
ence, 434; its creed, 436; petitions 
of, 440; conventions, origin of, 445; 
missionary project of, 450, 451. 

Appointments, how made, 229-233; first 
in America, 264. 

Asbury, Francis, received on trial, 122, 
135; early history of, 256-260; super- 
intendent, 277; fared hard, 285; liis 



labors, 315, 316, 323, 324, 330; his 

death, 338-340. 
Assistants, what, 117. 
Associate Methodists, 207-209. 
Annesley, Dr. Samuel, his character, 

22, 24. 

Articles of religion, adopted, 277. 
B. 

Baker, Osmon C, elected bishop, 485- 

death of, 536. 
Bascom, Henry B., 386. 
Baltimore, 250, 259. 

Bangs, Nathan, his history, 5; elected 
missionary secretary, 394; opposed 
abolition, 397; arraigned Mr. Sun- 
derland, 439; other incidents of, 556; 
conversion of, 587. 

Benevolence, a marked feature of Wes- 
leyans, 232-237; how organized, 238, 
239; a new arrangement, 533. 

Baptists, 17, 296, 577, 578. 

Benson, Joseph, 135, 136; high-church, 
170; his commentaries, 207. 

Bowman, Thomas, elected bishop, 539, 
540. 

Bell, Mr., an enthusiast, 107, 108. 

Bishops, none in British connection, 
227, 229; received the title, 283; 
power of, resisted, 299-304; of equal 
authority, 316; watched, 331; ad- 
dressed the conference, 332: sup- 
port of, 342; new powers, 413, 417, 
418-421; elected, 395, 405; not slave- 
holders, 442; more lenient, 449; com- 
mended lay delegation, 499; address 
in 1864, 506; full list of, 540. 

British Conference, 353; delegates to, 
354; its antislavery letter, 440. 

?...iul, Dr., odllnr. 480, 558. 

Book Ageuis, lirst assisriant, 331. 

595 



596 TOPICAL INDEX. 



Book Concern, its origin, 290; removed 
to New York, 321; small, 332; first 
required to support the bishops, 342, 
364; in debt, 379; publishing fund, 
380; amount paid the Church South, 
457> 477; history of, 553-576; started 
on Mulberry Street, 557; burned, 
557; a list of its agents, 558; sales of, 
559 j profits of, 560; profits at Cincin- 
nati, 561; its growth, 561; utility of, 
56s; its late trials, 566, 575. 

Books, influence of, 7, 31, 36, 276; early 
furnished, 99, 100, 113; to be circu- 
lated, 117, 122, 128, 139; Methodist 
books, 207, 290. 

Boardman, Richard, 123, 218, 254, 255, 
258, 265. 

Boston, visited by Jesse Lee, 291-294; 
seat of General Conference in 1852, 
484. 

Bradburn, Samuel, his first appear- 
ance, 136; defended Kilham, 169; in 
counsel for peace, 172; his preach- 
ing, 217; his origin, 218. 

Bramwell, William, received on trial, 
154; remarks about women's preach- 
ing, 178. 

Bryanites, history of, 206. 

Bunting, Jabez, first elected member of 
the Conference, 217; his rank, 218. 

Burns, Francis, elected bishop, 496; 
death of, 540. 

C. 

Cabinet, origin of, 151. 

Calvinism, in Scotland, 118, 128; in 
New England, 2S8, 292. 

Campbell, Bartley, a Romanist con- 
verted, 200. 

Centenary of Methodism, 210; the 
American centenary, 519, 520; the 
financial result, 520-522. 

Capers, William, secretary, 407. 

Cennick, Mr. 63, 67, 109. 

Church of England, origin of, 17; op- 
posed the Methodists, 94; adherence 
of Wesley to, 105; its assumptions, 
113; Wesley's views of, 120; in Amer- 
ica, 141, 142, 143; treatment of Meth- 
odist.s, 275. 

Church, Protestant Episcopal, not 
organized, 276, 284. 

Cartv/right, Peter, sketch of, 591. 

Cliurch, ]\Iethodist Episcopal, organ- 
ized, 275-278; declined in members, 
307; opposed slavery, 429; sacrifices 



for liberty, 458; its action against 
slavery, 462, 470; opposed rebellion, 
471; commended by the President, 
470; state of in 1852, 487; in 1856, 488: 
its loyalty, 507; numerical progress 
of, 543-545; present statistics of, 546; 
statistics of 1874, 549, 550. 

Chicago, 111., its rapid growth, 526. 

Chartered Fund, established, 307, 308. 

Christian Advocates, started, 366. 

Cincinnati, its beginning, 329. 

Camp-meetings, origin of, 313, 315 » 
effects of, 322, 329. 

Canada, its early relations, 353, 354, 
360; set off, 377, 378. 

Circuits, first formed, 117; restricted, 
364- 

Chapels, why so called, 118, 167; first 
in America, 247; free and pewed, 
356; directions for, 358. 

Church Extension Society, formed, 
514; its receipts, 515. 

Church property, first reported, 490; 
increase of, 479. 

Colleges, Wesley, 219; at Taunton, 
219; Methodist, 220; first in Amer- 
ica, 279, 280; at Middletown, 385; of 
others, 386-389, 399. 

Comfort, Silas, the hero of colored tes- 
timony, 451, 452. 

Colored jMethodist Episcopal Church, 
its origin and status, 478, 479. 

Cox, Melville B., missionarj'^ to Africa, 
386. 

Colored, testimony, 451, 452; voted 
against, 457; members first reported, 
463; numbers, 465; missionaries to 
colored people, 464; bishops, 496; 
members, 280, 281, 317. 

Congregationalism, 241; its hostility, 
289; history' of, 578. 

Come-outers, 412. 

Conference rights, 413 ; claimed, 444, 448. 

Class-meetings, origin of, 75; change 
concerning, 511. 

Conferences, Annual, the first, 91, 94; 
the second, 93; controlled by Wes- 
ley-, 94; the third, 114; of the legal 
hundred, 165, 169; the Irish, 176, 203; 
how modified, 181, 182; first in Amer- 
ica, 263; that of 1784, 277; those of 
the next year, 280, 285; in 1793, 308; 
in New England, 312; in Boston, 319; 
in Liberia, 395; Southern, 523, 524; 
German, 526; mission, 527-529. 



TOPICAL INDEX. 



S97 



Conferences, General, the first, 298; of 
whom composed, 303; that of 1796, 
312; of 1804, 321; of 1808, 324; the 
first delegated, 329, 330; of 1824, 362; 
of 1828, 371; of 1832, 386; of 1836, 
394-441; of 1840, 404; of 1844, 415; 
how divided, 456; questions involved, 
456-458; effect of, 472; of 1848, 479; 
of 1852, 484; of 1856, 488; of i860, 
494; of 1864, 506; effect of, 515, 516; 
of 1868, 526; of 1872, 534. 

Clarke, Dr. Adam, received, 151; man- 
ner of sermonizing, 152; commenta- 
ries, 207, 208; his boyhood, 218. 

Clark, D. W., elected bishop, 511; death 
of, 536, 540. 

Coke, Dr., 113, 139; ordained superin- 
tendent, 141 ; had charge of missions, 
185-190, 191, 200, 281, 282, 286; unset- 
tled, 316; in 1808, 324; his death, 337. 

Cookman, George, sketch of, 589. 

Conversions, remarkable, 59, 201, 313- 
315, 328. 

Controversy, the Calvinistic, 62-64, 124. 
D. 

Dawson, William, 217. 

Deed of Declaration, 139, 141-143, 149, 

152, 197; confirmed, 208. 
District Conferences, provided for, 357; 

re-established, 534. 
District meetings, what, 225, 226. 
Dow, Lorenzo, in England, 182. 
Drew, Samuel, received, 152. 
Delegates, fraternal, 362, 363. 
Durbin, John P., 387, 485, 530. 
Dixon, Dr., representative, 480. 

E. 

Economy, financial of the Weslcyans, 
332-337- 

Education, 213, 215, 219, 222, 345, 364, 
365, 379, 384; prospects for, brighten- 
ing', 385; caution given, 405; new as- 
pects, 496; centenary contributions 
to, 521, 522; new board of, 522; insti- 
tutions named, 527; clerical teachers, 
number of, 551; institutions, 551, 552. 

Enthusiasm, a fearful case, 106-109. 

Emancipation, 422; in New England, 
425; foreshadowed, 505; consum- 
mated, 509, 518. 

Elliott, Charles, his opinions, 435, 436; 
opposed to abolition, 459; appointed 
to write "The Great Secession," 480. 



Embury, Philip, 119, 122, 245-248. 

Exhorters, provided for, 115. 

Emory, John, delegate to British Con- 
ference, 354; defended the Church, 
375; elected bishop, 386; death of, 
390, 391-393; addressed the abolition- 
ists, 436. 

F. 

Foster, Randolph S., elected bishop, 
539, 540. 

Fisk, Wilbur, 365; representative to 
England, 394; elected bishop, 395; 
death of, 395, 396 ; favored coloniza- 
tion, 432; other traces of him, 434, 
436, 437, 448, 587- 

Four-days' meetings, how commenced, 
367, 368. 

Fletcher, John, 124; his "Checks," 
126-130; was desired to succeed Mr. 
Wesley, 139; his influence, 153; the 
power of his "Checks," 207. 

Freedmen's Aid Society, formed, 522, 
523; its collections, 523. 

Fletcher, Mrs., a preacher, 178. 

Fly-sheets, what and effects of, 212. 

Florida, when and how entered, 361. 

Funds, the Wesleyan, 233, 235, 236. 

G. 

Garrison, William Lloyd, 431, 449, 452. 
Garrettson, Freeborn, converted, 268; 

ordained, 278; his death, 369. 
Galena, mission to, 385. 
George, Enoch, 330; elected bishop, 

342; death of, 380. 
General Grant, 509, 510, 517, 518. 
Germany, how opened, 80; status of, 

542. 

Georgia, colony, to be free, 132-134. 
H. 

Haven, Gilbert, elected bishop, 539; 

residence, etc., of, 540. 
Harris, William L., elected bishop, 

539, 540. 
Harris, Howell, 60, 109. 
Hamline, Leonidas L., elected bishop, 

416: resigned, 417. 
Hedding, Elijah, 295, 328, 329; elected 

bishop, 364; other incidents, 407, 436, 

442, 447, 448; death of, 481-484. 
Horton, Jotham, 450, 452, 454. 
Heck, Barljara, 246, 252. 
Holy Club, at f)xford, 37, 44, 45. 
Hymn-book, origin of, 355. 



598 



TOPICAL INDEX. 



I. 

Indians, our work among, 359, 369; 

many converted, 384; many lost, 388, 

398; Flathead, 388, 389. 
Ireland, received Methodism, 133; sent 

it to America, 245-248, 251, 252, 259; 

O'Kelly, a mistake, 299, 489. 
Itinerancy, preachers' stay limited to 

two years, 122; threatened, 151, 251; 

restricted, 418, 421, 512, 530. 
Indiana and slavery, 463. 
Illinois, how settled, 463, 464. 
Independents, what, 577. 

J. 

Janes, Edmund S., secretary, 349; 
elected bishop, 416, 417; visited Eu- 
rope, 526. 

Jones, Griffith, 60. 

John-street Chapel, 248, 249; occupied 

by troops, 270. 
Judicial Conference, its origin, 491; of 

doubtful propriety, 491. 

K. 

KiLHAM, Alexander, 166-169, 174; sta- 
tus of his followers, 175. 

Kingsley, Calvin, elected bishop, 511; 
visited Europe, 526; death of, 538, 540. 

L. 

Laymen, distinguished, called, 577, 
584, 586. 

Lady Huntingdon's connection, origin 
of, 109; her operations, 125; her 
school, 129; alienation, 130; success, 
132; slaves, etc., 133; failure in Geor- 
gia, 134; affairs in England, 134. 

Ladies' and Pastors' Union, origin of, 
524- 

Lay representation, claimed, 363, 37a- 
375; history of, 498-504. 

Lee, Jesse, goes to Connecticut, 288; 
to Boston, 291, 295; presides at a 
conference, 313; finishes his course, 
346-448; the result, 485. 

Lee, Jason and Daniel, sent to Oregon, 
389; Jason returned, 400. 

Louisiana, first entered, 359. 

Love-feasts, origin of, 79. 

Lincoln, the President, nominated, 504; 
called for soldiers, 469; commenda- 
tion of Methodists, 470; re-elected, 
515; called for thanksgiving, 517; his 
noble words, 517, 518. 



M. 

Maxfield, put forward, 67; began to 
preach, 67; fell away, 107. 

INIassachusetts, Methodism in, 291-294. 

Maffit, John N., sketch of, 590. 

Magazine, Methodist, 331, 332; reis- 
sued, 345. 

Morris, Thomas A., elected bishop, 
395; on conference rights, 448; death 
of, 539- 

Michigan, visited, 361. 

Millerism, its operations and influence, 
410. 

Methodists, when unknown, 18; first 
so-called, 33; organized, 52; progress 
of, 58; their work, 59; persecuted, 
66; fearless of death, 72, in; care 
for prisoners, 137, 138; for slaves, 189; 
attitude of English, 197-199; through- 
out the world, 546, 547. 

Methodist, Reformed Church, 333-335. 

Methodist, African Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, 335; Zion's, 336. 

Methodist Church of Canada, organ- 
ized, etc., 378. 

Methodist Episcopal Church South, 
457-466; facts about its separation, 
473-476; its organization, 476; pres- 
ent status, 478, 479. 

Methodism, first organized, 52-54; early 
progress, 60, 70; entered Germany, 
80, 81; opposed, 81-89; principles set- 
tled, 92, 93; relations to the Estab- 
lished Church, 95, 96; its proper 
status, 97, 98; planted in Ireland, 
103-105; looks churchish, 117; con- 
trasted with other revivals, 118; what 
it might have been, 131, 136; in pris- 
ons, 137; its progress, 142, 149; in- 
crease, 158, 159; other benefits, 159- 
163; self-sacrificing, 164; gains, 176; 
creates alarm, 178, 179; transforming, 
187-196; in America, 245; started 
unofficially, 253; power of, 272, 273; 
progress of, 284, 304-307, 318; falsely 
charged, 332; assailed, 340; its anti- 
slavery influence, 463-467; welcomes 
all good agencies, 525; a grand fact, 
531; its progress, 576; the secret of 
its success, 579; its future, 592. 

Missions, origin of, 185, 186-190; loss in 
death of Dr. Coke, 191; first society, 
192, 193; in Africa, 194; Oceanica, 
194-197; head-quarters of, 210; oper- 
ations of, 237-239; among the Indians, 



TOPICAL 

359; in New England, 360; Liberia, 
386, 388; in "Worcester, 390, 398; to 
the Germans, 399, 400; to the Freed- 
men, 524; progress, 527; state of, 541. 

Missionaries, to Anaerica, 225, 256; to 
the West Indies, 467. 

Minutes, of the first American confer- 
ence, 264. 

Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, when organized, 
348, 464; annual receipts, 349, 364, 
379; correspondence of, 394. 

M'Lean, John, notice of, 585. 

M'Kendree, William, 303, 318; elected 
bishop, 326, 327; in 1816, 347, 350, 379; 
death of, 390, 391; funeral sermon of, 
394- 

Merrill, Stephen M., elected bishop, 
539, 540. 

N, 

Nelson, John, converted, 68, 69. 

New Orleans, opened, 369. 

New Connection Methodists, 174; pres- 
ent numbers, 175. 

Newton, Robert, 218, 404. 

New York, settled, 242; Methodism 
started in, 245, 246. 

New England, first entered, 287; first 
Church of, 288, 291-296, 304-306; 
Provincetown, 309, 312; extension 
society, 514. 

O. 

O' Kelly, James, 299, 300, 318, 326, 
Oregon, opened, 388, 389. 
Ouseley, Gideon, 201. 
Otterbein, Mr., history of, 273. 

P. 

Papists, converted, 199-202, 400. 
Penn, William, 243. 
Persecution, 81-89, 95> 9^99 5 

land, ICS, 179, 180, 186-189, 202, 270; 

defeated, 287, 309. 
Pilmoor, Joseph, 123, 254, 265. 
Philadelphia, 250, 253, 254, 257, 263. 
Prayer-book, provided and dropped, 278. 
Presbyterians, origin of, 17; pious, 55, 

276; fanatics among, 322; progress 

of, 578. 

Preaching, strange effects of, 55; field, 
56; lay, resisted, 60; provided for, 
66; reasons for, 75; powerful effects 
of, 272, 273. 

preachers, first, 98; urged to read, 99; 
sufferings of, 104; fearless, in; their 



INDEX. 599 

call, how tested, 114; feelings, 180; 
power, 181; providentially supplied, 
217-219; how stationed, 229, 230, 266; 
secret of their power, 266-268, 310- 
312; could stay but two years, 321; 
local, ordained, 327, 331; power re- 
stricted, 333 ;^ located, 396, 484; super- 
annuated, 397; must fail, 403, 404; 
received from other Churches, 406; 
antislavery, 424. 
Providence of God, cases of its mani- 
festation, 217, 219, 244, 252-254; in 
emancipation, 460-462, 468, 470, 476; 
for the Freedmen, 523, 524; in rais- 
ing up laymen, 584-586; ministers, 
586-592. 

Presiding elders, 227, 280; election of, 
302-304; steadying the ark, 310; man- 
ner of reducing the number, 326; 
Lee's views of, 347; history of, 350- 
353, 414, 415; present number of, 

SSI- 
Protestant Methodist Church, formed, 

375; progress of, 376, 377. 
Periodicals, origin of, 395. 
Pitman, Charles, elected secretary, 407, 

485- 

Plan of separation, falsely so-called, 457. 
Primitive Methodists, origin of, 182; 

progress of, 183, 184; in Ireland, 203- 

205. 

Publishing establishment, 222, 223; pri- 
vate publishing, opposed, 263. 

Pierce, Dr. Lovick, delegate in 1848, 
460. 

Peck, Jesse T., elected bishop, 539, 540. 
Peck, George, elected editor, 480, 557. 
Punshon, William Morley, delegate, 530. 
Privileges, committee of, 577. 

Q. 

Quarterly Meetings, origin of, 117, 
226; in America, 260. 

R. 

Rankin, Thomas, early history of, 

261-264. 
Revivals, great, 409-413, 497. 
Rebellion, the, 458, 462, 466; came at 

the right time, 468-470, 498; the first 

gun of the, 505; encouraged in tlie 

North, 516; rebuked, 517. 
Ritualism, a step toward, 492, 493. 
Roberts, J. W., colored bishop, 496; 

death of, 540. 



600 TOPICAL 

Roberts, Robert Richford, 309; elected 
bishop, 342, 343; died, 415, 416. 

Religious world, state of, 17-20. 

Romanism, 17-20; in Ireland, 103; its 
victims converted, 131-141: in Amer- 
ica, 359; overcome, 361, 362, 369. 

Rules, restrictive, what, 386; miscon- 
strued, 406. 

Ruter, Martin, 387, 398; his work and 
death, 399. 

S. 

Salaries, first mentioned, 119, 253; 
increased, 317. 

Sacraments, desired, 120; provided, 
140, 141; trouble about, 169; how 
settled, 171; in Ireland, 203, 263, 264; 
in America, 270, 271, 275-278. 

Secessions, 63, 67, 102; in America, 290, 
333> 335, 336. 

Schools, Kingswood, loi. 

Shadford, George, 261, 262. 

Stewards, character of, 102. 

South Carolina, seceded, 505. 

Slavery, 132, 186; how defended, 187- 
190, 255; denounced, 271; trouble 
with, 318, 364; modified by missions, 
385, 386, 388, 396-398; chief subject, 
402, 404, 413, 422, 424, 425; preachers 
involved in, 425, 426, 427, 429; how 
destroyed, 461; in the West Indies, 
467; honored, 489, 490, 498; warmly 
defended, 504. 

Sunderland, La Roy, 432, 433, 439, 447, 
452, 454- 

Scott, Orange, 432, 433; his quarterly 
review, 446, 447; secessional lean- 
ings, 450, 451; his withdrawal, 452- 
454- 

Storrs, George, 432, 440, 441. 
Smith, William A., 442; in the Harding 
case, 456. 

Stevens, Abel, elected and resigned, 
480. 

Scott, Levi, elected bishop, 489, 540. 

Scott, Robinson, his visit and enter- 
prise, 489. 

Stilwellites, origin of, 336. 

Summerfield, John, his brilliant his- 
tory, 361, 588. 

Slaves, condition of, 463, 466; improved 
by the Gospel, 466; their view of 
"Massa Linkum," 509. 

Simpson, Matthew, elected bishop, 485; 
delegate, 489; in other connections, 
499, 521, 540- 



INDEX. 

Statistics, first taken, 122; at Wesley's 
death, 154, 158, 159, 221; American, 
264, 265; of 1784, 273, 280; of Long 
Island, 289; at the first General Con- 
ference, 299, 300, 318; African Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, 335; Zion's, 
336; at Coke's death, 338; at Asbury's 
death, 339; at Lee's death, 347; in 
1820, 357; of Canada, 378; of Indians, 
384; of slaves, 388; of Oregon, 389; 
of Germans, 400; colored members, 
464; of Church South, 477, 478; of 
Church property, 497; losses during 
the war, 519; subsequent gains, 519, 
526, 527, 531; tables of, 540-55i- 

Strawbridge, Robert, 251, 264, 266. 

Societies, the first, 52; rules of, 53; at 
Bristol, 57; to be multiplied, 117; in 
America, 246, 251, 252. 

Soule, Joshua, 295, 328, 329; book 
agent, 342, 345; elected bishop, 353; 
re-elected, 364; other incidents, 404, 
407, 555- 

Sunday-schools, origin of, 290, 291, 303. 
Sunday-school Union, formed, 336, 36;i; 
its effect, 381, 383. 

T. 

Texas, history of, 398. 

The American Wesleyan Methodists, 
450, 456; their status, 455. 

Tickets, quarterly, origin of, 78, 121. 

Taylor, David, called, 91. 

Thorp, John, converted, 112. 

Tracts, first distributed, 117; society 
formed to circulate, 344. 

Temperance, 54; Whitefield not Wes- 
leyan on, 132; other references to, 
260, 271, 312, 386, 406; our present 
attitude, 513. 

Thomson, Edward, elected bishop, 511; 
visited China, 526; death of, 537, 540. 

Theological schools, 215, 

Taylor, Edward T., 315, 590. 

The True Wesleyan started, 452. 

Things as they are, 459. 

The National Magazine, history of, 
486, 487. 

The Woman's Foreign Missionary Soci- 
ety, 532. 
The Minard Home, what, 535. 

U. 

United Methodist Free Church, 209. 
United Brethren, origin of, 273, 274. 



TOPICAL INDEX. 



6oi 



V. 

Voltaire, his influence, i8. 

W. 

Wesley, Samuel, 21, 23; house burned, 
26. 

Wesley, Susanna, 24, 25; led in public 
worship, 25; her influence, 72; death 
of, 73, 92. 

Williams, Roger, 242, 309. 

Wesley, John, born, 20; of good stock, 
21, 24, 25; his education, 25, 26; nar- 
row escape of, 26, 27; literary course, 
27; reading, 28, 31, 36; ordained dea- 
con, 28; elected Fellow of Lincoln 
College, 28; assisted his father, 30; 
ordained priest, 30; addressed the 
tutors, 30; growth in grace, 31, 32; 
of the Holy Club, 34; came to Amer- 
ica, 38; returned, 39; his new dis- 
covery, 40; the results, 41-44; heart 
strangely warmed, 49; among the 
Moravians, 50; shut out of churches, 
54; preached in the open air, 56; left 
tlie Moravians, 61; preached against 
predestination, 64; on his father's 
tombstone, 82; mobbed, 83-89; his 
first conference, 91-94; reasoned with 
the clergy, 94-96; advised his fol- 
lowers, 97; provided books, 99, 100; 
changed his views, 112, 113, 116, 117; 
visits Ireland, 119; sick, 119; assailed 
by Calvinists, 124-128; ordained Dr. 
Coke and others, 140, 141; his Deed 
of Declaration, 141-149; letter to the 
conference, 147; failing health, 150; 
ordains others, 154; his last confer- 
ence, 154; subsequent labors, 155, 
156; highly appreciated, 157; the se- 
cret of his power, 163, 164; afflicted 
with his American children, 282-285; 
on slavery, 423, 465. 

Waugh, Beverly, elected bishop, 395; 
character and death of, 494; other 
incidents of, 556. 

Wesley, Charles, at Oxford, 29, 33; 
other particulars, 35; read Kempis, 
etc., 36; came to America, 38; con- 



version of, 47, 48; leaned toward Qui- 
etism, 70; preached with power, 71; 
true to the Church, 120, 121; opposed 
John, 141, 261. 

Whitefield, George, ignorant of relig- 
ion, 20; other particulars of him, 36; 
his conversion, 44, 45; ordained, 45; 
poverty of, 45; came to Georgia, 46; 
began field preaching, 56; separation 
from Wesley, 62; his will, 66; popu- 
larity, no; usefulness, no, 123; not 
sectarian, no; travels and labors, 
123; death of, 123; a slave-holder, 132. 

Women, active in public worship, 25, 
26, 178; a new device, 524, 525, 532. 

Whitehead, Dr., his views, 74, 146. 

Watch-meetings, origin of, 77. 

Williams, Thomas, entered Ireland, 103, 
104, 244. 

War, the Revolutionary, 137, 268; of 

1812, 333; t)f the Rebellion, 505-510; 

opposed by Northerners, 516, 517; 

encouraged, 517; the end of, 518; loss 

of members during, 519. 
Watson, Richard, 167, 193, 207. 
Webb, Captain, 247-250, 257, 261, 265, 

587. 

Wesleyan connection, its organism, 223; 
its relation to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, 353, 354. 

Williams, Robert, 252, 263. 

Waters, William, 264. 

Whitworth, Abraham, 266. 

Whatcoat, Richard, 276, 282; elected 
bishop, 317; death of, 323. 

Washington, George, congratulatory 
address to and his reply, 386, 387. 

Wiley, Isaac W., elected bishop, 539, 
540- 

Worcester, Mass., opened, 390. 
Wooster, Calvin, a remarkable man, 310. 

Z. 

Zion's Herald, established, 365; open 
to abolitionists, 433-436; opposed to 
secession, 454. 

Zion's Watchman, why and when 
started, 439. 



